diff --git a/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/remote_collection.py b/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/remote_collection.py
index 3d4106bc..3b20b04c 100644
--- a/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/remote_collection.py
+++ b/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/remote_collection.py
@@ -336,7 +336,9 @@ def generate_collection_json(
         error_in_published_entry = None
         for rc in self.get_concepts():
             versions: List[Union[RecordDraft, Record]] = (
-                [rc.draft] if mode == "draft" else [] + rc.get_published_versions()
+                [rc.draft]
+                if mode == "draft" and rc.draft.exists()
+                else [] + rc.get_published_versions()
             )
             try:
                 versions_in_collection = create_collection_entries(versions)