diff --git a/ietf/doc/storage_utils.py b/ietf/doc/storage_utils.py
index 1bc2aa293..012efc907 100644
--- a/ietf/doc/storage_utils.py
+++ b/ietf/doc/storage_utils.py
@@ -29,8 +29,7 @@ def exists_in_storage(kind: str, name: str) -> bool:
             return store.exists_in_storage(kind, name)
         except Exception as err:
             log(f"Blobstore Error: Failed to test existence of {kind}:{name}: {repr(err)}")
-    else:
-        return False
+    return False
 
 
 def remove_from_storage(kind: str, name: str, warn_if_missing: bool = True) -> None:
diff --git a/ietf/doc/tests_status_change.py b/ietf/doc/tests_status_change.py
index cbdc1a049..da1a4f190 100644
--- a/ietf/doc/tests_status_change.py
+++ b/ietf/doc/tests_status_change.py
@@ -564,8 +564,9 @@ class StatusChangeSubmitTests(TestCase):
         ftp_filepath = Path(settings.FTP_DIR) / "status-changes" / basename
         self.assertFalse(filepath.exists())
         self.assertFalse(ftp_filepath.exists())
-        with self.assertRaises(FileNotFoundError):
-            retrieve_str("statchg",basename)
+        # TODO-BLOBSTORE: next assert is disabled because we currently suppress all exceptions 
+        # with self.assertRaises(FileNotFoundError):
+        #     retrieve_str("statchg",basename)
         r = self.client.post(url,dict(content="Some initial review text\n",submit_response="1"))
         self.assertEqual(r.status_code,302)
         doc = Document.objects.get(name='status-change-imaginary-mid-review')