diff --git a/server/planning/assignments/assignments.py b/server/planning/assignments/assignments.py
index 76790564a..f285f6f41 100644
--- a/server/planning/assignments/assignments.py
+++ b/server/planning/assignments/assignments.py
@@ -1195,7 +1195,7 @@ def on_delete(self, doc):
         """
         Validate that we have a lock on the Assignment and it's associated Planning item
         """
-        if doc.get("_to_delete") is True:
+        if doc.get("_to_delete") is True or not request:
             # Already marked for delete - no validation needed (could be the background job)
             return
 
diff --git a/server/planning/planning/planning.py b/server/planning/planning/planning.py
index 8712345f6..fac3e8ad2 100644
--- a/server/planning/planning/planning.py
+++ b/server/planning/planning/planning.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 import logging
 from datetime import datetime
 
-from flask import json, current_app as app
+from flask import json, current_app as app, request
 from eve.methods.common import resolve_document_etag
 
 import superdesk
@@ -1274,23 +1274,24 @@ def delete_assignments_for_coverages(self, coverages, notify=True):
                 if original_assigment:
                     assignment_service.system_update(ObjectId(assign_id), {"_to_delete": True}, original_assigment)
 
-        session_id = get_auth().get("_id")
-        user_id = get_user().get(config.ID_FIELD)
-        if len(deleted_assignments) > 0:
-            push_notification(
-                "assignments:delete",
-                items=deleted_assignments,
-                session=session_id,
-                user=user_id,
-            )
+        if request:
+            session_id = get_auth().get("_id")
+            user_id = get_user().get(config.ID_FIELD)
+            if len(deleted_assignments) > 0:
+                push_notification(
+                    "assignments:delete",
+                    items=deleted_assignments,
+                    session=session_id,
+                    user=user_id,
+                )
 
-        if len(failed_assignments) > 0 and notify:
-            push_notification(
-                "assignments:delete:fail",
-                items=failed_assignments,
-                session=session_id,
-                user=user_id,
-            )
+            if len(failed_assignments) > 0 and notify:
+                push_notification(
+                    "assignments:delete:fail",
+                    items=failed_assignments,
+                    session=session_id,
+                    user=user_id,
+                )
 
     def get_expired_items(self, expiry_datetime, spiked_planning_only=False):
         """Get the expired items