diff --git a/src/primaite/simulator/system/services/red_services/data_manipulation_bot.py b/src/primaite/simulator/system/services/red_services/data_manipulation_bot.py
index 17b89386..6db9e1aa 100644
--- a/src/primaite/simulator/system/services/red_services/data_manipulation_bot.py
+++ b/src/primaite/simulator/system/services/red_services/data_manipulation_bot.py
@@ -128,16 +128,16 @@ class DataManipulationBot(DatabaseClient):
                 # perform the attack
                 if not self.connected:
                     self.connect()
-                    if self.connected:
-                        self.query(self.payload)
-                        self.sys_log.info(f"{self.name} payload delivered: {self.payload}")
-                        attack_successful = True
-                        if attack_successful:
-                            self.sys_log.info(f"{self.name}: Data manipulation successful")
-                            self.attack_stage = DataManipulationAttackStage.COMPLETE
-                        else:
-                            self.sys_log.info(f"{self.name}: Data manipulation failed")
-                            self.attack_stage = DataManipulationAttackStage.FAILED
+                if self.connected:
+                    self.query(self.payload)
+                    self.sys_log.info(f"{self.name} payload delivered: {self.payload}")
+                    attack_successful = True
+                    if attack_successful:
+                        self.sys_log.info(f"{self.name}: Data manipulation successful")
+                        self.attack_stage = DataManipulationAttackStage.COMPLETE
+                    else:
+                        self.sys_log.info(f"{self.name}: Data manipulation failed")
+                        self.attack_stage = DataManipulationAttackStage.FAILED
 
     def run(self):
         """
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/_primaite/_simulator/_system/_services/_red_services/test_data_manipulation_bot.py b/tests/unit_tests/_primaite/_simulator/_system/_services/_red_services/test_data_manipulation_bot.py
index 8a78beae..936f7c5c 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/_primaite/_simulator/_system/_services/_red_services/test_data_manipulation_bot.py
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/_primaite/_simulator/_system/_services/_red_services/test_data_manipulation_bot.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from primaite.simulator.network.hardware.base import Node
 from primaite.simulator.network.networks import arcd_uc2_network
 from primaite.simulator.network.transmission.network_layer import IPProtocol
 from primaite.simulator.network.transmission.transport_layer import Port
+from primaite.simulator.system.applications.application import ApplicationOperatingState
 from primaite.simulator.system.services.red_services.data_manipulation_bot import (
     DataManipulationAttackStage,
     DataManipulationBot,
@@ -64,6 +65,7 @@ def test_dm_bot_perform_data_manipulation_no_success(dm_bot):
 
 def test_dm_bot_perform_data_manipulation_success(dm_bot):
     dm_bot.attack_stage = DataManipulationAttackStage.PORT_SCAN
+    dm_bot.operating_state = ApplicationOperatingState.RUNNING
 
     dm_bot._perform_data_manipulation(p_of_success=1.0)