diff --git a/helperfunctions.py b/helperfunctions.py
index f39356f..7ad94b1 100644
--- a/helperfunctions.py
+++ b/helperfunctions.py
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ import os
 import sqlite3
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 from typing import Optional
+import auth
+
+app_config = auth.return_app_config()
+BASE_DIR = os.path.realpath(app_config['BASE_DIR'])
 
 log_db = sqlite3.connect("access_log.db", check_same_thread=False)
 
@@ -143,15 +147,15 @@ def generate_top_list(category):
         cursor = log_db.execute(query, params_for_filter)
         rows = cursor.fetchall()
 
-    # Filter by allowed basefolders
+    # Filter by allowed base folders
     allowed_basefolders = list(session['folders'].keys())
     rows = [
         (rel_path, access_count) for rel_path, access_count in rows
         if any(rel_path.startswith(folder) for folder in allowed_basefolders)
     ]
 
-    # Convert rows to a list of dictionaries and add category
-    rows = [
+    # Convert rows to a list of dicts and add category
+    records = [
         {
             'rel_path': rel_path,
             'access_count': access_count,
@@ -159,15 +163,18 @@ def generate_top_list(category):
         }
         for rel_path, access_count in rows
     ]
-    rows = [r for r in rows if r['category'] == category][:20]
+    # Filter by requested category and limit
+    records = [r for r in records if r['category'] == category][:20]
 
-    filelist = [
-        {
-            'name': rel_path.split('/')[-1],
-            'path': rel_path,
-            'file_type': 'music'
-        }
-        for rel_path in [r['rel_path'] for r in rows]
-    ]
+    # Build file list and check existence
+    filelist = []
+    for record in records:
+        rel_path = record['rel_path']
+        if os.path.exists(os.path.join(BASE_DIR, rel_path)):  # ensure file exists on disk // slow operation. maybe improve later
+            filelist.append({
+                'name': os.path.basename(rel_path),
+                'path': rel_path,
+                'file_type': 'music'
+            })
 
     return filelist