diff --git a/apps/wpm/serializers.py b/apps/wpm/serializers.py
index 941e26cb..dcc7670d 100644
--- a/apps/wpm/serializers.py
+++ b/apps/wpm/serializers.py
@@ -1197,8 +1197,8 @@ class HandoverSerializer(CustomModelSerializer):
             attrs['type'] = Handover.H_NORMAL
         
         mtype = attrs["mtype"]
+        new_state = None
         if mtype == Handover.H_MERGE:
-            new_state = None
             new_wm:WMaterial = attrs.get("new_wm", None)
             if new_wm:
                 attrs['new_batch'] = new_wm.batch