diff --git a/vllm/tool_parsers/hermes_tool_parser.py b/vllm/tool_parsers/hermes_tool_parser.py
index 992590525..37fa6bd66 100644
--- a/vllm/tool_parsers/hermes_tool_parser.py
+++ b/vllm/tool_parsers/hermes_tool_parser.py
@@ -329,11 +329,12 @@ class Hermes2ProToolParser(ToolParser):
                 logger.debug("unable to parse JSON")
                 return None
 
+            if current_tool_call is None:
+                return None
+
             # case - we haven't sent the tool name yet. If it's available, send
             #   it. otherwise, wait until it's available.
             if not self.current_tool_name_sent:
-                if current_tool_call is None:
-                    return None
                 function_name: str | None = current_tool_call.get("name")
                 if function_name:
                     self.current_tool_name_sent = True