diff --git a/cgi-bin/core/doctype/search_criteria/search_criteria.py b/cgi-bin/core/doctype/search_criteria/search_criteria.py
index b9b5d3c84c..00e5eb4330 100644
--- a/cgi-bin/core/doctype/search_criteria/search_criteria.py
+++ b/cgi-bin/core/doctype/search_criteria/search_criteria.py
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ class DocType:
 			webnotes.conn.set(self.doc,'module',doctype_module and doctype_module[0][0] or 'NULL')
 
 	def validate(self):
-		sql("select name from `tabSearch Criteria` where criteria_name=%s and name!=%s", (self.doc.criteria_name, self.doc.name))
+		if sql("select name from `tabSearch Criteria` where criteria_name=%s and name!=%s", (self.doc.criteria_name, self.doc.name)):
+			webnots.msgprint("Criteria Name '%s' already used, please use another name" % self.doc.criteria_name, raise_exception = 1)
 
 	def on_update(self):
 		self.set_module()