diff --git a/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py b/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py
index adee38e7b..6d5c90c40 100644
--- a/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py
+++ b/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py
@@ -460,6 +460,12 @@ class LastGenrePlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
         and the whitelist feature was disabled.
         """
 
+        def _fallback_stage() -> tuple[list[str], str]:
+            """Return the fallback genre and label."""
+            if fallback := self.config["fallback"].get():
+                return [fallback], "fallback"
+            return [], "fallback unconfigured"
+
         def _try_resolve_stage(
             stage_label: str,
             keep_genres: list[str],
@@ -496,8 +502,7 @@ class LastGenrePlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
                 ):
                     return result
 
-                # Return fallback string (None if not set).
-                return self.config["fallback"].get(), "fallback"
+                return _fallback_stage()
 
             # If cleanup_existing is not set, the pre-populated tags are
             # returned as-is.
@@ -587,7 +592,7 @@ class LastGenrePlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
                     return result
 
         # Nothing found, leave original if configured and valid.
-        if genres and self.config["keep_existing"].get(bool):
+        if genres and self.config["keep_existing"].get():
             if isinstance(obj, library.Item):
                 # For track items, use track artist (important for compilations).
                 artist = getattr(obj, "artist", None)
@@ -605,12 +610,7 @@ class LastGenrePlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
             ):
                 return result
 
-        # Return fallback as a list.
-        if fallback := self.config["fallback"].get():
-            return [fallback], "fallback"
-
-        # No fallback configured.
-        return [], "fallback unconfigured"
+        return _fallback_stage()
 
     # Beets plugin hooks and CLI.