diff --git a/backend/app/api/simulation.py b/backend/app/api/simulation.py
index f803a36f..64731222 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/simulation.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/simulation.py
@@ -2743,6 +2743,8 @@ def delete_agent(simulation_id: str, user_id: int):
             return jsonify({"success": False, "error": str(e)}), 403
         except LookupError as e:
             return jsonify({"success": False, "error": str(e)}), 404
+        except FileNotFoundError as e:
+            return jsonify({"success": False, "error": str(e)}), 404
 
         return jsonify({"success": True, "data": {"deleted_user_id": user_id}})
     except Exception as e:
diff --git a/backend/app/services/simulation_manager.py b/backend/app/services/simulation_manager.py
index fe769cc3..8fee0992 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/simulation_manager.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/simulation_manager.py
@@ -614,6 +614,9 @@ class SimulationManager:
         profiles_file = os.path.join(sim_dir, "reddit_profiles.json")
         backup_file = profiles_file + ".bak"
 
+        if not os.path.exists(profiles_file):
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"reddit_profiles.json not found for {simulation_id}")
+
         with open(profiles_file, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
             profiles = json.load(f)