diff --git a/shopping/db.py b/shopping/db.py
index 0aff51d..aa6ed52 100644
--- a/shopping/db.py
+++ b/shopping/db.py
@@ -201,28 +201,22 @@ async def request(conn, person: Person, ingredient: Optional[Ingredient] = None,
 
     return item
 
-async def remove_request(conn, person: Person, meal: Optional[Meal] = None, ingredient: Optional[Ingredient] = None) -> None:
-    failed = True
+async def remove_request(conn, person: Person, meal: Optional[Meal] = None, ingredient: Optional[Ingredient] = None) -> bool:
     if meal is not None:
-        # Ensure a record is removed
         async with conn.execute('''
             DELETE FROM ShoppingListItem
             WHERE list_id IS NULL AND meal_id = ?
         ''', (meal.id,)) as cursor:
-            if cursor.rowcount > 0:
-                failed = False
+            return cursor.rowcount > 0
 
     elif ingredient is not None:
-        # Ensure a record is removed
         async with conn.execute('''
             DELETE FROM ShoppingListItem
             WHERE list_id IS NULL AND ingredient_id = ? AND person_id = ?
         ''', (ingredient.id, person.id)) as cursor:
-            if cursor.rowcount > 0:
-                failed = False
+            return cursor.rowcount > 0
 
-    if failed:
-        raise ValueError('Must specify either a meal or an ingredient to remove')
+    raise ValueError('Must specify either a meal or an ingredient to remove')
 
 async def find_items_by_list_id(conn, list_id: Optional[int]) -> AsyncIterator[ShoppingListItem]:
     # Join Ingredient and Product to also load ingredient and product