diff --git a/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java b/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java
index 771f926..675859e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java
+++ b/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java
@@ -2808,8 +2808,10 @@ public class GriefPrevention extends JavaPlugin
         Player targetPlayer = this.getServer().getPlayerExact(name);
         if (targetPlayer != null) return targetPlayer;
 
+        UUID bestMatchID = null;
+
         //try exact match first
-        UUID bestMatchID = this.playerNameToIDMap.get(name);
+        bestMatchID = this.playerNameToIDMap.get(name);
 
         //if failed, try ignore case
         if (bestMatchID == null)