Loop through find_element_by_name python selenium

I have a code where it looks for a name and I am trying to write an if statement that says if it can't find that name look for something else.

What I have so far is as follows:

        excel = driver.find_element_by_name("Export to Excel")

        if excel == None:
            driver.implicitly_wait(15)
            search = driver.find_element_by_xpath("//span[@id='inplaceSearchDiv_WPQ2_lsimgspan']")
            search.send_keys('testing')

        else:
            excel.click()

I know what's inside the if statement works because I tested it out. Am I suppoed to change my argument in my if statement? The error I get is selenium.common.exceptions.NoSuchElementException: Message: No such element I tried entering "No such element" instead of "None" but I still get the same error. Also it tells me Exception Unhandled NoSuchElementException('No such element', None, None) can some give me advise on what I am doing wrong with the if statement?