diff --git a/corrlib/main.py b/corrlib/main.py
index e524233..cc48f4e 100644
--- a/corrlib/main.py
+++ b/corrlib/main.py
@@ -52,6 +52,24 @@ def update_project_data(db, uuid, prop, value = None):
     return
 
 
+def update_aliases(path, uuid, aliases):
+    known_data = _project_lookup_by_id(path + "/backlogger.db", uuid)[0]
+    known_aliases = known_data[1]
+    if known_aliases is None:
+        print(f"Project {uuid} is already imported, no known aliases.")
+    else:
+        print(f"Project {uuid} is already imported, known by names: {known_aliases}")
+    known_alias_list = str2list(known_aliases)
+    new_alias_list = known_alias_list
+    for aka in aliases:
+        if aka not in known_aliases:
+            new_alias_list.append(aka)
+    if not len(new_alias_list) == len(known_alias_list):
+        alias_str = list2str(new_alias_list)
+        update_project_data(path, uuid, "aliases", alias_str)
+    return
+
+
 def import_project(path: str, url: str, owner: Union[str, None]=None, tags: Union[str, None]=None, aliases: Union[str, None]=None, code: Union[str, None]=None, isDataset: bool=True):
     """
     Parameters
@@ -98,23 +116,9 @@ def import_project(path: str, url: str, owner: Union[str, None]=None, tags: Unio
         dl.save([path + "/backlogger.db", path + '/projects/' + uuid], message="Import project from " + url, dataset=path)
     else:
         dl.drop(tmp_path, reckless='kill')
-        shutil.rmtree(tmp_path)
-        known_data = _project_lookup_by_id(path + "/backlogger.db", uuid)[0]
-        known_aliases = known_data[1]
-        if known_aliases is None:
-            print(f"Project {uuid} is already imported, no known aliases.")
-        else:
-            print(f"Project {uuid} is already imported, known by names: {known_aliases}")
-        
+        shutil.rmtree(tmp_path)    
         if aliases is not None:
-            known_alias_list = str2list(known_aliases)
-            new_alias_list = known_alias_list
-            for aka in aliases:
-                if aka not in known_aliases:
-                    new_alias_list.append(aka)
-            if not len(new_alias_list) == len(known_alias_list):
-                alias_str = list2str(new_alias_list)
-                update_project_data(path, uuid, "aliases", alias_str)
-        
+            update_aliases(path, uuid, aliases)
+            
     # make this more concrete
     return uuid