diff --git a/validator/weight_setting/winner_selection.py b/validator/weight_setting/winner_selection.py
index f96dcbeb..21d50d00 100644
--- a/validator/weight_setting/winner_selection.py
+++ b/validator/weight_setting/winner_selection.py
@@ -22,9 +22,15 @@ def get_contestant_ranks(scores: dict[Key, float]) -> dict[Key, int]:
     if not scores:
         return {}
 
-    i = 0
     rank = 0
 
+    if len(scores) == 1:
+        hotkey = next(iter(scores))
+
+        return { hotkey: rank }
+
+    i = 0
+
     scores = list(sorted(scores.items(), key=itemgetter(1), reverse=True))
     score_values = list(map(itemgetter(1), scores))