diff --git a/db/mock_data.sql b/db/mock_data.sql
index dad9ab6..e29d508 100644
--- a/db/mock_data.sql
+++ b/db/mock_data.sql
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ INSERT INTO room_ (owner, name, global, uuid) VALUES
 
 INSERT INTO membership_ (user_id, room) VALUES
 (1, 1),  -- Alice in General Discussion
+(1, 2),  -- Alice in Tech Talk
 (2, 2),  -- Bob in Tech Talk
 (3, 1),  -- Carol in General Discussion
 (1, 3);  -- Alice in Random Memes
diff --git a/src/routes/rooms.rs b/src/routes/rooms.rs
index 284b181..0157e97 100644
--- a/src/routes/rooms.rs
+++ b/src/routes/rooms.rs
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ pub struct AcceptRoomInvitePayload {
 #[derive(serde::Deserialize)]
 pub struct TransferOwnershipPayload {
     pub room_uuid: Uuid,
-    pub new_owner_uuid: Option<Uuid>,
+    pub new_owner_uuid: Uuid,
 }
 
 pub fn routes() -> Router {
@@ -670,8 +670,10 @@ async fn transfer_ownership(
         ));
     }
 
+    let new_owner_id = user_id_from_uuid(&db, payload.new_owner_uuid).await?;
+
     sqlx::query("UPDATE room_ SET owner = $1 WHERE id = $2")
-        .bind(payload.new_owner_uuid)
+        .bind(new_owner_id)
         .bind(room_id)
         .execute(&db)
         .await