diff --git a/cv5/program.c b/cv5/program.c
index 368421f..ad6d63d 100644
--- a/cv5/program.c
+++ b/cv5/program.c
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ int main() {
         if (student_count == 0) {
             total_votes = vote_count;
         } else {
-            int existing_student_index = -1;
+            int existing_student_index = 0;
             for (int i = 0; i < student_count; i++) {
                 if (strcmp(students[i].name, name) == 0) {
                     existing_student_index = i;
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ int main() {
                 }
             }
 
-            if (existing_student_index != -1) {
+            if (existing_student_index != 0) {
                 students[existing_student_index].vote_count += vote_count;
             } else {
                 if (student_count >= students_capacity) {