diff --git a/graphiti_core/search/search_utils.py b/graphiti_core/search/search_utils.py
index f541fafa..726ff46b 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/search/search_utils.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/search/search_utils.py
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ async def node_distance_reranker(
 ) -> list[str]:
     # filter out node_uuid center node node uuid
     filtered_uuids = list(filter(lambda node_uuid: node_uuid != center_node_uuid, node_uuids))
-    scores: dict[str, float] = {}
+    scores: dict[str, float] = {center_node_uuid: 0.0}
 
     # Find the shortest path to center node
     query = Query("""
@@ -649,9 +649,13 @@ async def node_distance_reranker(
 
     for result in path_results:
         uuid = result['uuid']
-        score = result['score'] if 'score' in result else float('inf')
+        score = result['score']
         scores[uuid] = score
 
+    for uuid in filtered_uuids:
+        if uuid not in scores:
+            scores[uuid] = float('inf')
+
     # rerank on shortest distance
     filtered_uuids.sort(key=lambda cur_uuid: scores[cur_uuid])
 
diff --git a/tests/test_graphiti_int.py b/tests/test_graphiti_int.py
index e42a24d4..7bc82550 100644
--- a/tests/test_graphiti_int.py
+++ b/tests/test_graphiti_int.py
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ async def test_graphiti_init():
         COMBINED_HYBRID_SEARCH_CROSS_ENCODER,
         group_ids=['test'],
     )
+
     pretty_results = {
         'edges': [edge.fact for edge in results.edges],
         'nodes': [node.name for node in results.nodes],