diff --git a/app/serializers/friend_serializer.py b/app/serializers/friend_serializer.py
index 2386d68..6f4fbea 100644
--- a/app/serializers/friend_serializer.py
+++ b/app/serializers/friend_serializer.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from app.models.friend import Friend
 
 def friend_serialize(friend: list, is_external: bool) -> Friend:
-    status = friend['status'] if 'status' in friend else ('pending_approval' if is_external else 'pending')
+    status = friend['status'] if friend['status'] != 'pending' else ('pending_approval' if is_external else 'pending')
 
     return Friend(**{
         "id": str(friend["_id"]),