Okla. Stat. tit. 42, § 42-173: Parties

In such actions all persons whose liens are filed as herein

provided shall be made parties, and issues shall be made and trials

had as in other cases. Where such action is brought by a

subcontractor, or other person not the original contractor, such

original contractor shall be made a party defendant, and shall at

his own expense defend against the claim of every subcontractor, or

other person claiming a lien under this chapter, and if he fails to

make such defense the owner may make the same at the expense of such

contractor; and until all such claims, costs and expenses are

finally adjudicated, and defeated or satisfied, the owner shall be

entitled to retain from the contractor the amount thereof, and such

costs and expenses as he may be required to pay: Provided, that if

the sheriff of the county in which such action is pending shall make

return that he is unable to find such original contractor, the court

may proceed to adjudicate the liens upon the land and render

judgment to enforce the same with costs.