diff --git a/action_server/src/action_server/actions/send_picture.py b/action_server/src/action_server/actions/send_picture.py
index 68acefff..291d77fc 100644
--- a/action_server/src/action_server/actions/send_picture.py
+++ b/action_server/src/action_server/actions/send_picture.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def _start(self):
             self._execute_result.succeeded = True
 
     def _cancel(self):
-        if self.detect_face_state_machine:
+        if self.detect_face_state_machine.is_running:
             self.detect_face_state_machine.request_preempt()