diff --git a/api-server/server/boot/settings.js b/api-server/server/boot/settings.js
index 21d071e3d0..d943cbc8d5 100644
--- a/api-server/server/boot/settings.js
+++ b/api-server/server/boot/settings.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { check } from 'express-validator/check';
 import { ifNoUser401, createValidatorErrorHandler } from '../utils/middleware';
 import { themes } from '../../common/utils/themes.js';
 import { alertTypes } from '../../common/utils/flash.js';
+import { validate } from '../../../utils/validate';
 
 const log = debug('fcc:boot:settings');
 
@@ -199,6 +200,15 @@ function createUpdateMyUsername(app) {
         message: 'Username is already associated with this account'
       });
     }
+    const validation = validate(username);
+
+    if (!validation.valid) {
+      return res.json({
+        type: 'info',
+        message: `Username ${username} ${validation.error}`
+      });
+    }
+
     const exists = await User.doesExist(username);
 
     if (exists) {