diff --git a/app/api/lyrics.py b/app/api/lyrics.py
index 2d9099c..9fedf35 100644
--- a/app/api/lyrics.py
+++ b/app/api/lyrics.py
@@ -43,3 +43,5 @@ def check_lyrics():
 
     if exists:
         return {"filepath": filepath}, 200
+
+    return {"filepath": None}
diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..0206a46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+#!/bin/zsh
+
+# builds the latest version of the client and server
+
+cd ../swingmusic-client
+yarn build --outDir ../swingmusic/client
+cd ../swingmusic
+poetry run python manage.py --build
\ No newline at end of file