diff --git a/cads_catalogue/layout_manager.py b/cads_catalogue/layout_manager.py
index 726ba47..667ffa3 100644
--- a/cads_catalogue/layout_manager.py
+++ b/cads_catalogue/layout_manager.py
@@ -276,21 +276,20 @@ def transform_cim_blocks(layout_data: dict[str, Any], cim_layout_path: str):
     -------
     dict: dictionary of layout_data modified
     """
+    if not os.path.exists(cim_layout_path):
+        return layout_data
     remove_tab = True
     remove_aside = True
-    qa_tab_blocks = None
-    qa_aside_blocks = None
-    if os.path.exists(cim_layout_path):
-        with open(cim_layout_path) as fp:
-            cim_layout_data = json.load(fp)
-        qa_tab = cim_layout_data.get("quality_assurance_tab", {})
-        qa_tab_blocks = qa_tab.get("blocks")
-        if qa_tab_blocks is not None:
-            remove_tab = False
-        qa_aside = cim_layout_data.get("quality_assurance_aside", {})
-        qa_aside_blocks = qa_aside.get("blocks")
-        if qa_aside_blocks is not None:
-            remove_aside = False
+    with open(cim_layout_path) as fp:
+        cim_layout_data = json.load(fp)
+    qa_tab = cim_layout_data.get("quality_assurance_tab", {})
+    qa_tab_blocks = qa_tab.get("blocks")
+    if qa_tab_blocks is not None:
+        remove_tab = False
+    qa_aside = cim_layout_data.get("quality_assurance_aside", {})
+    qa_aside_blocks = qa_aside.get("blocks")
+    if qa_aside_blocks is not None:
+        remove_aside = False
     new_data = copy.deepcopy(layout_data)
     body = new_data.get("body", {})
     body_main = body.get("main", {})
diff --git a/tests/test_30_layout_manager.py b/tests/test_30_layout_manager.py
index ed0514e..ee929ac 100644
--- a/tests/test_30_layout_manager.py
+++ b/tests/test_30_layout_manager.py
@@ -671,15 +671,7 @@ def test_transform_cim_blocks(tmpdir):
     new_layout_data = layout_manager.transform_cim_blocks(
         layout_data, cim_layout_path=cim_layout_path
     )
-    assert new_layout_data == {
-        "uid": "cams-global-reanalysis-eac4",
-        "body": {
-            "main": {
-                "sections": test_sections_1,
-            },
-            "aside": test_aside_1,
-        },
-    }
+    assert new_layout_data == layout_data
 
     # test case 3: not existing cim layout, existing only aside block
     new_aside_block = {
@@ -698,15 +690,7 @@ def test_transform_cim_blocks(tmpdir):
     new_layout_data = layout_manager.transform_cim_blocks(
         layout_data, cim_layout_path=cim_layout_path
     )
-    assert new_layout_data == {
-        "uid": "cams-global-reanalysis-eac4",
-        "body": {
-            "main": {
-                "sections": test_sections_1,
-            },
-            "aside": test_aside_1,
-        },
-    }
+    assert new_layout_data == layout_data
 
     # test case 4: existing cim layout, not existing section/aside on layout
     layout_data = create_layout_for_test(