diff --git a/neomodel/cardinality.py b/neomodel/cardinality.py
index 2e2fdf0d..099bf578 100644
--- a/neomodel/cardinality.py
+++ b/neomodel/cardinality.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ def connect(self, node, properties=None):
         :param properties: relationship properties
         :return: True / rel instance
         """
-        if not hasattr(self.source, "element_id"):
+        if not hasattr(self.source, "element_id") or self.source.element_id is None:
             raise ValueError("Node has not been saved cannot connect!")
         if len(self):
             raise AttemptedCardinalityViolation("Node already has one relationship")
diff --git a/neomodel/match.py b/neomodel/match.py
index 022307cf..2773d6e5 100644
--- a/neomodel/match.py
+++ b/neomodel/match.py
@@ -733,7 +733,7 @@ def __nonzero__(self):
 
     def __contains__(self, obj):
         if isinstance(obj, StructuredNode):
-            if hasattr(obj, "element_id"):
+            if hasattr(obj, "element_id") and obj.element_id is not None:
                 return self.query_cls(self).build_ast()._contains(obj.element_id)
             raise ValueError("Unsaved node: " + repr(obj))