diff --git a/cli/teos_cli.py b/cli/teos_cli.py
index f33daa8..a4609d3 100644
--- a/cli/teos_cli.py
+++ b/cli/teos_cli.py
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ def post_appointment(data, teos_url):
     logger.info("Sending appointment to the Eye of Satoshi")
 
     try:
-        return requests.post(url=add_appointment_endpoint, json=json.dumps(data), timeout=5)
+        return requests.post(url=add_appointment_endpoint, json=data, timeout=5)
 
     except ConnectTimeout:
         logger.error("Can't connect to the Eye of Satoshi's API. Connection timeout")
diff --git a/teos/api.py b/teos/api.py
index 31f612c..6aecb10 100644
--- a/teos/api.py
+++ b/teos/api.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import os
-import json
 import logging
 from flask import Flask, request, abort, jsonify
 
@@ -55,7 +54,7 @@ class API:
 
         if request.is_json:
             # Check content type once if properly defined
-            request_data = json.loads(request.get_json())
+            request_data = request.get_json()
             appointment = self.inspector.inspect(
                 request_data.get("appointment"), request_data.get("signature"), request_data.get("public_key")
             )
diff --git a/teos/inspector.py b/teos/inspector.py
index ed288fc..60a83fc 100644
--- a/teos/inspector.py
+++ b/teos/inspector.py
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ class Inspector:
             Errors are defined in :mod:`Errors <teos.errors>`.
         """
 
+        if appointment_data is None:
+            return errors.APPOINTMENT_EMPTY_FIELD, "empty appointment received"
+
         block_height = self.block_processor.get_block_count()
 
         if block_height is not None:
diff --git a/test/teos/unit/test_api.py b/test/teos/unit/test_api.py
index ea65b4f..6cbf15f 100644
--- a/test/teos/unit/test_api.py
+++ b/test/teos/unit/test_api.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def new_appt_data():
 
 
 def add_appointment(new_appt_data):
-    r = requests.post(url=add_appointment_endpoint, json=json.dumps(new_appt_data), timeout=5)
+    r = requests.post(url=add_appointment_endpoint, json=new_appt_data, timeout=5)
 
     if r.status_code == 200:
         appointments.append(new_appt_data["appointment"])