diff --git a/apps/api/src/admin/participant_manager.py b/apps/api/src/admin/participant_manager.py
index 354aefe9a..f4af0fa40 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/admin/participant_manager.py
+++ b/apps/api/src/admin/participant_manager.py
@@ -52,7 +52,15 @@ async def check_in_applicant(uid: str, associate: User) -> None:
     record: Optional[dict[str, object]] = await mongodb_handler.retrieve_one(
         Collection.USERS, {"_id": uid, "role": Role.APPLICANT}
     )
-    if not record or record["status"] not in (Status.ATTENDING, Status.CONFIRMED):
+    if not record:
+        raise ValueError
+
+    try:
+        status = record["status"]
+    except KeyError:
+        raise RuntimeError
+
+    if status not in (Status.ATTENDING, Status.CONFIRMED):
         raise ValueError
 
     new_checkin_entry = (utc_now(), associate.uid)
diff --git a/apps/api/src/routers/admin.py b/apps/api/src/routers/admin.py
index e8b81be52..f5154e0ac 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/routers/admin.py
+++ b/apps/api/src/routers/admin.py
@@ -258,7 +258,6 @@ async def checkin(
 ) -> None:
     """Check in participant at IrvineHacks."""
     try:
-        # TODO: non-hackers
         await participant_manager.check_in_applicant(uid, associate)
     except ValueError:
         raise HTTPException(status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND)