diff --git a/server/api/helpers/update-project.js b/server/api/helpers/update-project.js
index d98fb4c9..b29122b1 100644
--- a/server/api/helpers/update-project.js
+++ b/server/api/helpers/update-project.js
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ module.exports = {
       type: 'json',
       custom: (value) =>
         _.isPlainObject(value) &&
-        (_.isUndefined(value.background) || _.isPlainObject(value.background)) &&
+        (_.isUndefined(value.background) ||
+          _.isNull(value.background) ||
+          _.isPlainObject(value.background)) &&
         (_.isUndefined(value.backgroundImage) || _.isNull(value.backgroundImage)),
       required: true,
     },