diff --git a/backend/core/src/main/java/org/opencdmp/service/descriptiontemplate/DescriptionTemplateServiceImpl.java b/backend/core/src/main/java/org/opencdmp/service/descriptiontemplate/DescriptionTemplateServiceImpl.java
index 1d952afa3..d6e88467e 100644
--- a/backend/core/src/main/java/org/opencdmp/service/descriptiontemplate/DescriptionTemplateServiceImpl.java
+++ b/backend/core/src/main/java/org/opencdmp/service/descriptiontemplate/DescriptionTemplateServiceImpl.java
@@ -226,6 +226,9 @@ public class DescriptionTemplateServiceImpl implements DescriptionTemplateServic
                     .groupIds(data.getGroupId())
                     .count();
             if (activeDescriptionTemplatesForTheGroup > 0) throw new MyApplicationException("Description template group id is in use please use new version endpoint");
+
+            Long descriptionTemplateCodes = this.queryFactory.query(DescriptionTemplateQuery.class).disableTracking().codes(model.getCode()).count();
+            if (descriptionTemplateCodes > 0) throw new MyValidationException(this.errors.getDescriptionTemplateCodeExists().getCode(), this.errors.getDescriptionTemplateCodeExists().getMessage());
         }
 
         this.updateVersionStatusAndSave(data, previousStatus, data.getStatus());