diff --git a/openlp/plugins/songs/forms/editsongform.py b/openlp/plugins/songs/forms/editsongform.py
index f3a695f03..ebf967755 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/songs/forms/editsongform.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/songs/forms/editsongform.py
@@ -214,6 +214,12 @@ class EditSongForm(QtGui.QDialog, Ui_EditSongDialog, RegistryProperties):
             critical_error_message_box(
                 message=translate('SongsPlugin.EditSongForm', 'You need to type in at least one verse.'))
             return False
+        if self.authors_list_view.count() == 0:
+            self.song_tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(1)
+            self.authors_list_view.setFocus()
+            critical_error_message_box(
+            message=translate('SongsPlugin.EditSongForm', 'You need to have an author for this song.'))
+            return False
         if self.verse_order_edit.text():
             result = self._validate_verse_list(self.verse_order_edit.text(), self.verse_list_widget.rowCount())
             if not result: