diff --git a/app/Http/Requests/AssetRequest.php b/app/Http/Requests/AssetRequest.php
index 72c3a89ccb..082320e6ba 100644
--- a/app/Http/Requests/AssetRequest.php
+++ b/app/Http/Requests/AssetRequest.php
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ class AssetRequest extends Request
     public function rules()
     {
         $rules = [
+            'asset_tag'       => 'required|min:1|max:255|unique_undeleted',
             'name'            => 'max:255|nullable',
             'model_id'        => 'required|integer|exists:models,id',
             'status_id'       => 'required|integer|exists:status_labels,id',
@@ -45,9 +46,7 @@ class AssetRequest extends Request
         ];
 
         $settings = \App\Models\Setting::getSettings();
-
-        $rules['asset_tag'] = ($settings->auto_increment_assets == '1') ? 'max:255' : 'required';
-
+        
         if ($this->request->get('model_id') != '') {
             $model = AssetModel::find($this->request->get('model_id'));