diff --git a/backend/atlas_portal/db.py b/backend/atlas_portal/db.py
index 87f5e59..0be83a1 100644
--- a/backend/atlas_portal/db.py
+++ b/backend/atlas_portal/db.py
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ def connect() -> Iterator[psycopg.Connection[Any]]:
 
 def _try_advisory_lock(conn: psycopg.Connection[Any], lock_id: int) -> bool:
     row = conn.execute("SELECT pg_try_advisory_lock(%s)", (lock_id,)).fetchone()
+    if isinstance(row, dict):
+        return bool(row.get("pg_try_advisory_lock"))
     return bool(row and row[0])