diff --git a/examples/fix_missing_episodes_with_tag.py b/examples/fix_missing_episodes_with_tag.py
index f1aa415aa..18de69d68 100644
--- a/examples/fix_missing_episodes_with_tag.py
+++ b/examples/fix_missing_episodes_with_tag.py
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ def get_combo_model_map(
     bad_gpt4_rewards_count = 0
     bad_combo_count = 0
     bad_lite_mode_count = 0
+    bad_background_count = 0
     episodes_to_delete = []
 
     # iterate through episodes
@@ -181,6 +182,15 @@ def get_combo_model_map(
         #     bad_lite_mode_count += 1
         #     continue
 
+        # check if the background is present
+        # if not "lite" in curr_ep.tag:
+        #     concat_text = "\n".join(rendered_ep[:-2])
+        #     if "'s background" not in concat_text:
+        #         print("Background not found in: ", curr_ep.pk)
+        #         episodes_to_delete.append(curr_ep.pk)
+        #         bad_background_count += 1
+        #         continue
+
         if len(interaction_list) <= 5:
             # bad_rewards_count += 1
             episodes_to_delete.append(curr_ep.pk)
@@ -211,7 +221,8 @@ def get_combo_model_map(
             # episodes_to_delete.append(curr_ep.pk)
 
             bad_combo_count += 1
-    print("Bad lite mode count: ", bad_lite_mode_count)
+    # print("Bad lite mode count: ", bad_lite_mode_count)
+    # print("Bad background count: ", bad_background_count)
     # exit(0)
     print("-" * 20 + "Deleting Bad Combos" + "-" * 20)
     for ep_pk in episodes_to_delete:
diff --git a/sotopia/messages/message_classes.py b/sotopia/messages/message_classes.py
index bddcf4e97..c72f28eed 100644
--- a/sotopia/messages/message_classes.py
+++ b/sotopia/messages/message_classes.py
@@ -56,13 +56,19 @@ class ScriptBackground(Message):
 
     def to_natural_language(self) -> str:
         if self.p1_background or self.p2_background:
+            p1_background = (
+                self.p1_background if self.p1_background else "Unknown"
+            )
+            p2_background = (
+                self.p2_background if self.p2_background else "Unknown"
+            )
             # Not using AND, since in stranger relation the background is not visible
             return format_docstring(
                 f"""Here is the context of this interaction:
             Scenario: {self.scenario}
             Participants: {self.p1_name} and {self.p2_name}
-            {self.p1_name}'s background: {self.p1_background}
-            {self.p2_name}'s background: {self.p2_background}
+            {self.p1_name}'s background: {p1_background}
+            {self.p2_name}'s background: {p2_background}
             {self.p1_name}'s goal: {self.p1_goal}
             {self.p2_name}'s goal: {self.p2_goal}
             """
diff --git a/tests/renderers/test_xml_renderer.py b/tests/renderers/test_xml_renderer.py
index 9152e4ad7..586b35e46 100644
--- a/tests/renderers/test_xml_renderer.py
+++ b/tests/renderers/test_xml_renderer.py
@@ -92,6 +92,8 @@ def test_renderer_in_env() -> None:
         obs["John"].last_turn == "Here is the context of this interaction:\n"
         "Scenario: test\n"
         "Participants: John and Jane\n"
+        "John's background: John Doe is a 0-year-old  .  pronouns.  Personality and values description:  John's secrets: \n"
+        "Jane's background: Unknown\n"
         "John's goal: agent_1's goal\n"
         "Jane's goal: Unknown"
     )