diff --git a/src/backups.js b/src/backups.js
index 4d49bc885..28bc072ea 100644
--- a/src/backups.js
+++ b/src/backups.js
@@ -123,6 +123,11 @@ function testConfig(backupConfig, callback) {
     // remember to adjust the cron ensureBackup task interval accordingly
     if (backupConfig.intervalSecs < 6 * 60 * 60) return callback(new BoxError(BoxError.BAD_FIELD, 'Interval must be atleast 6 hours', { field: 'interval' }));
 
+    if ('key' in backupConfig) {
+        if (typeof backupConfig.key !== 'string') return callback(new BoxError(BoxError.BAD_FIELD, 'key must be a string', { field: 'key' }));
+        if (backupConfig.key.length < 8) return callback(new BoxError(BoxError.BAD_FIELD, 'key must be atleast 8 characters', { field: 'key' }));
+    }
+
     api(backupConfig.provider).testConfig(backupConfig, callback);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/test/backups-test.js b/src/test/backups-test.js
index 4636e2a8a..982b86d70 100644
--- a/src/test/backups-test.js
+++ b/src/test/backups-test.js
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ describe('backups', function () {
             database._clear,
             settings.setBackupConfig.bind(null, {
                 provider: 'filesystem',
-                key: 'enckey',
+                key: 'secretenckey',
                 backupFolder: BACKUP_DIR,
                 retentionSecs: 1,
                 format: 'tgz'