diff --git a/api/main.py b/api/main.py
index c649e1a..4c339a0 100644
--- a/api/main.py
+++ b/api/main.py
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ async def generate_discharge_note(
 
         # Create a temp file to store the consultation data
         temp_file = UPLOAD_DIR / f"consultation_{id(request)}.json"
+        output_path: Path | None = None
         try:
             with temp_file.open("w") as f:
                 json.dump(request.consultation_data, f)
@@ -107,8 +108,12 @@ async def generate_discharge_note(
             # Clean up temporary files
             if temp_file.exists():
                 temp_file.unlink()
-            if output_path.exists():
-                output_path.unlink()
+            # output_path might remain None if discharge_generator.process_file fails
+            if output_path:
+                if output_path.exists():
+                    output_path.unlink()
+                else:
+                    logger.info(f"Skipping cleanup for output_path as it does not exist: {output_path}")
 
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error(f"❌ Error generating discharge note: {e}")
diff --git a/tests/unit/api/test_main.py b/tests/unit/api/test_main.py
index 86c9623..e44c874 100644
--- a/tests/unit/api/test_main.py
+++ b/tests/unit/api/test_main.py
@@ -117,31 +117,29 @@ def test_generate_endpoint_error(
         mock_generator.process_file.side_effect = ValueError("Test error")
         mock_upload_dir.__truediv__.return_value = Path("test_file.json")
         
-        # Mock Path.exists and Path.unlink to avoid UnboundLocalError for output_path
-        with patch("pathlib.Path.exists", return_value=False):  # Avoid trying to unlink files
-            # Execute
-            response = test_client.post(
-                "/generate",
-                json={
-                    "consultation_data": {
-                        "patient": {
-                            "name": "Max",
-                            "species": "Dog",
-                            "breed": "Golden Retriever",
-                            "gender": "Male",
-                            "neutered": True,
-                            "date_of_birth": "2018-05-10",
-                            "weight": "32 kg",
-                        },
-                        "consultation": {
-                            "date": "2023-07-15",
-                            "time": "10:30",
-                            "reason": "Vomiting",
-                            "type": "Outpatient",
-                        },
-                    }
-                },
-            )
+        # Execute without patching Path.exists to ensure cleanup handles None output_path
+        response = test_client.post(
+            "/generate",
+            json={
+                "consultation_data": {
+                    "patient": {
+                        "name": "Max",
+                        "species": "Dog",
+                        "breed": "Golden Retriever",
+                        "gender": "Male",
+                        "neutered": True,
+                        "date_of_birth": "2018-05-10",
+                        "weight": "32 kg",
+                    },
+                    "consultation": {
+                        "date": "2023-07-15",
+                        "time": "10:30",
+                        "reason": "Vomiting",
+                        "type": "Outpatient",
+                    },
+                }
+            },
+        )
 
         # Assert
         assert response.status_code == 500