diff --git a/dns_compare.py b/dns_compare.py
index 8a78778..bb4cde7 100755
--- a/dns_compare.py
+++ b/dns_compare.py
@@ -133,14 +133,21 @@ def perform_query(full_domain, ns, record_type, timeout):
         results = []
         response_rcode = r.rcode()
         
+        # Check response code
+        response_rcode = r.rcode()
+        if response_rcode != 0:  # 0 = NOERROR
+            rcode_name = rcode.to_text(response_rcode)
+            return (full_domain, ns, f"RCODE: {rcode_name}")
+        
+        results = []
+        
         # Check answer section first
         answers = r.answer
         if answers:
             for rrset in answers:
                 for item in rrset:
                     results.append(str(item))
-            if results:
-                return (full_domain, ns, results)
+            return (full_domain, ns, results)
         
         # If no answer, check additional section (some servers put records there)
         additional = r.additional
@@ -160,12 +167,7 @@ def perform_query(full_domain, ns, record_type, timeout):
             if results:
                 return (full_domain, ns, results)
         
-        # Truly no records found - check if there's a non-NOERROR response code to report
-        if response_rcode != 0:  # 0 = NOERROR
-            rcode_name = rcode.to_text(response_rcode)
-            return (full_domain, ns, f"RCODE: {rcode_name}")
-        
-        # No records and NOERROR response
+        # Truly no records found
         return (full_domain, ns, "NO RECORDS")
     except (exception.Timeout, TimeoutError):
         return (full_domain, ns, "TIMED OUT")