diff --git a/backend/flaschengeist_events/routes.py b/backend/flaschengeist_events/routes.py
index 06256ac..90a5432 100644
--- a/backend/flaschengeist_events/routes.py
+++ b/backend/flaschengeist_events/routes.py
@@ -420,8 +420,10 @@ def assign_job(job_id, current_session: Session):
     data = request.get_json()
     job = event_controller.get_job(job_id)
     try:
-        user = userController.get_user(data["userid"])
         value = data["value"]
+        user = userController.get_user(
+            data["userid"], deleted=value < 0
+        )  # allow unassigning deleted users, but not assigning
         if (user == current_session.user_ and not user.has_permission(permissions.ASSIGN)) or (
             user != current_session.user_ and not current_session.user_.has_permission(permissions.ASSIGN_OTHER)
         ):