diff --git a/src/routes/settings.js b/src/routes/settings.js
index 85bce2826..f4b2c022d 100644
--- a/src/routes/settings.js
+++ b/src/routes/settings.js
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ function setBackupConfig(req, res, next) {
     if (typeof req.body.format !== 'string') return next(new HttpError(400, 'format must be a string'));
     if ('acceptSelfSignedCerts' in req.body && typeof req.body.acceptSelfSignedCerts !== 'boolean') return next(new HttpError(400, 'format must be a boolean'));
 
-    if (!req.body.retentionPolicy || typeof req.body.retentionPolicy !== 'object') return next(new HttpError(400, 'retentionPolicy is required'));
+    if (!req.body.retentionPolicy || typeof req.body.retentionPolicy !== 'object' || Object.keys(req.body.retentionPolicy) === 0) return next(new HttpError(400, 'retentionPolicy is required'));
 
     // testing the backup using put/del takes a bit of time at times
     req.clearTimeout();