diff --git a/pagure/lib/__init__.py b/pagure/lib/__init__.py
index c4032ac..76ee859 100644
--- a/pagure/lib/__init__.py
+++ b/pagure/lib/__init__.py
@@ -2859,6 +2859,11 @@ def is_watching(session, user, reponame, repouser=None):
 
     if watcher:
         return watcher.watch
+
+    project = pagure.lib.get_project(session, reponame, user=repouser)
+    if not project:
+        return False
+
     if user.username == project.user.username:
         return True