diff --git a/apps/course/views/participant.py b/apps/course/views/participant.py
index d3129c6..58e3860 100644
--- a/apps/course/views/participant.py
+++ b/apps/course/views/participant.py
@@ -27,16 +27,22 @@ class CourseParticipantsView(generics.ListAPIView):
         return self.list(request, *args, **kwargs)
     def get_queryset(self):
         """
-        Optimized queryset with select_related for course relationship
+        Optimized queryset with select_related for course relationship.
+        Filters out guest users (no email) and soft-deleted users (is_active=False).
         """
         course_slug = self.kwargs.get('slug')
         try:
             course = Course.objects.get(slug=course_slug)
         except Course.DoesNotExist:
-            raise AppAPIException({'message': "Course not found"})  # Handle course not found
+            raise AppAPIException({'message': "Course not found"})
 
+        # 👇 Apply the strict filters for Normal Users only
         return StudentUser.objects.select_related().filter(
-            participated_courses__course=course
+            participated_courses__course=course,
+            is_active=True,          # Exclude soft-deleted users
+            email__isnull=False      # Exclude guest users
+        ).exclude(
+            email__exact=''          # Extra safety just in case an email is a blank string
         )