diff --git a/crates/utils/src/settings/mod.rs b/crates/utils/src/settings/mod.rs
index 92c9fb01f..bf1a8984d 100644
--- a/crates/utils/src/settings/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/utils/src/settings/mod.rs
@@ -88,6 +88,9 @@ impl Settings {
   }
 
   pub fn save_config_file(data: &str) -> Result<String, LemmyError> {
+    // check that the config is valid
+    from_str::<Settings>(data)?;
+
     fs::write(Settings::get_config_location(), data)?;
 
     // Reload the new settings