Using asserts for error catching.

cogs/post_highscores/__init__.py

@@ -28,11 +28,11 @@ class PostHighscores(commands.Cog, name="Post Highscores"):
         highscore_channel_id = highscores_data["highscore_channel_id"]
         print(f"Printing out highscores information in channel {highscore_channel_id}")
         channel = self.bot.get_channel(highscore_channel_id)
-        if channel is None:
-            response = 'Registered Highscores channel does not exist or was never registered. \
+
+        error_response = 'Registered Highscores channel does not exist or was never registered. \
                 Register with "?register" command.'
-            await ctx.send(response)
-            return
+        assert channel is not None, await ctx.send(error_response)
+
         for boss in highscores_config["bosses"]:
             await highscore_message.send_highscore_message(channel, boss["boss"])
 

cogs/score/__init__.py

@@ -26,12 +26,10 @@ class Score(commands.Cog, name="Score"):
         verification_channel_id = highscores_data["verification_channel_id"]
         channel = self.bot.get_channel(verification_channel_id)
 
-        if channel is None:
-            response = "Registered Verification channel does not exist or was never registered. \
+        error_response = "Registered Verification channel does not exist or was never registered. \
                 Contact server admins."
-            await ctx.send(response)
-            return
-        else:
+        assert channel is not None, await ctx.send(error_response)
+
         verification_string = f"{ctx.author.display_name}:{boss_name}:{category}:{score}"
 
         await channel.send(