diff --git a/api/users/views.py b/api/users/views.py
index f3bbfc172cf..f67babc667e 100644
--- a/api/users/views.py
+++ b/api/users/views.py
@@ -797,9 +797,8 @@ def post(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
         if claimed_user.is_disabled:
             raise ValidationError('Cannot claim disabled account.')
 
-        try:
-            record_referent = Guid.objects.get(_id=record_id).referent
-        except Guid.DoesNotExist:
+        record_referent, _ = Guid.load_referent(record_id)
+        if not record_referent:
             raise NotFound('Unable to find specified record.')
 
         try: