diff --git a/docker-app/qfieldcloud/core/models.py b/docker-app/qfieldcloud/core/models.py
index 414e27f1a..d666356c1 100644
--- a/docker-app/qfieldcloud/core/models.py
+++ b/docker-app/qfieldcloud/core/models.py
@@ -1475,12 +1475,10 @@ def clean(self) -> None:
         if self.project.owner.is_organization:
             organization = Organization.objects.get(pk=self.project.owner.pk)
             if self.collaborator.is_person:
-                members_qs = organization.members.filter(member=self.collaborator)  # type: ignore
-
                 # for organizations-owned projects, the candidate collaborator
                 # must be a member of the organization or the organization's owner
                 if not (
-                    members_qs.exists()
+                    organization.members.filter(member=self.collaborator).exists()  # type: ignore
                     or self.collaborator == organization.organization_owner
                 ):
                     raise ValidationError(
diff --git a/docker-app/qfieldcloud/core/tests/utils.py b/docker-app/qfieldcloud/core/tests/utils.py
index 5b77020b0..7acf597b4 100644
--- a/docker-app/qfieldcloud/core/tests/utils.py
+++ b/docker-app/qfieldcloud/core/tests/utils.py
@@ -51,16 +51,11 @@ def setup_subscription_plans():
 
 
 def set_subscription(
-    some_user: User | Iterable[User],
+    users: User | Iterable[User],
     code: str = None,
     **kwargs,
 ):
-    users: list[User] = []
-
-    if isinstance(some_user, User):
-        users.append(some_user)
-    else:
-        users += some_user
+    users: list[User] = [users] if isinstance(users, User) else users
     assert len(
         users
     ), "When iterable, the first argument must contain at least 1 element."