diff --git a/ingredients/group/groupPresent.go b/ingredients/group/groupPresent.go
index 4562865..b76b6ec 100644
--- a/ingredients/group/groupPresent.go
+++ b/ingredients/group/groupPresent.go
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ func (g Group) present(ctx context.Context, test bool) (types.Result, error) {
 		result.Changed = true
 		return result, nil
 	}
-	if groupByName.Gid != gid {
+	if groupByName == nil || groupByName.Gid != gid {
 		cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, "groupmod", args...)
 		if test {
 			result.Succeeded = true
diff --git a/ingredients/user/userPresent.go b/ingredients/user/userPresent.go
index aa1d53a..ffeb83d 100644
--- a/ingredients/user/userPresent.go
+++ b/ingredients/user/userPresent.go
@@ -47,10 +47,10 @@ func (u User) present(ctx context.Context, test bool) (types.Result, error) {
 		userCmd = "useradd"
 	}
 	args := []string{userName}
-	if uid != "" && uid != user.Uid {
+	if uid != "" && user == nil || uid != user.Uid {
 		args = append(args, "-u"+uid)
 	}
-	if gid != "" && gid != user.Gid {
+	if gid != "" && user == nil || gid != user.Gid {
 		args = append(args, "-g"+gid)
 	}
 	if shell != "" {
@@ -72,7 +72,6 @@ func (u User) present(ctx context.Context, test bool) (types.Result, error) {
 		return result, nil
 	}
 	err = cmd.Run()
-
 	if err != nil {
 		result.Failed = true
 		result.Succeeded = false
diff --git a/testing/recipes/userCreation.grlx b/testing/recipes/userCreation.grlx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c75bbc8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testing/recipes/userCreation.grlx
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+steps:
+  create void user:
+    user.present:
+      - name: void
+      - uid: "1000"
+      - gid: "100"
+      - home: /home/void
+      - shell: /usr/bin/zsh
+      - groups:
+          - wheel
+          - docker