diff --git a/backend/src/event-handlers/rollup/index.js b/backend/src/event-handlers/rollup/index.js
index 8bdcaaa..0dd031c 100644
--- a/backend/src/event-handlers/rollup/index.js
+++ b/backend/src/event-handlers/rollup/index.js
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ const start = async () => {
       expectedAuthors = await getBatchPostAuthorWeights(post.embeddedData.batchItems);
     } catch (e) {
       console.error('Error calculating batch post author weights', e);
-      return false;
+      return null;
     }
     const valid = authorsMatch(post.authors, expectedAuthors);
     console.log(`batch post ${pool.props.postId} is ${valid ? 'valid' : 'invalid'}`);
@@ -45,11 +45,6 @@ const start = async () => {
 
   // Even if we're not the current batch worker, keep track of batch items
   initializeBatchItems();
-  try {
-    batchItems = await applicationData.get('batchItems');
-  } catch (e) {
-    batchItems = [];
-  }
 
   // Check for an assigned batch worker
   await initializeBatchWorker();
diff --git a/backend/src/event-handlers/validation-pools.js b/backend/src/event-handlers/validation-pools.js
index 3a88b55..2d4ae35 100644
--- a/backend/src/event-handlers/validation-pools.js
+++ b/backend/src/event-handlers/validation-pools.js
@@ -40,8 +40,6 @@ const start = async () => {
     }
     console.log('postId:', pool.props.postId);
     console.log('post.content:', post.content);
-    const results = await Promise.mapSeries(deciders, (decider) => decider(pool, post));
-    const inFavor = results.some((x) => x === true);
     // We have the opportunity to stake for/against this validation pool.
     // To implement the legislative process of upgrading this protocol,
     // the execution of this code can be protected by a given proposal.
@@ -49,6 +47,15 @@ const start = async () => {
     if (!enableStaking) {
       return;
     }
+    const decisions = await Promise.mapSeries(deciders, (decider) => decider(pool, post));
+    const inFavor = decisions.some((x) => x === true);
+    const nullResult = decisions.some((x) => x === null);
+    if (!inFavor && nullResult) {
+      console.log(`Obtained a NULL RESULT for pool ${poolIndex}. Abstaining from the vote.`);
+      // TODO: Retry?
+      // TODO: Notify
+      return;
+    }
     // Stake all available reputation
     const currentRep = await dao.balanceOf(await wallet.getAddress());
     console.log(`STAKING ${currentRep} ${inFavor ? 'in favor of' : 'against'} pool ${poolIndex}`);