diff --git a/app/models/debate.rb b/app/models/debate.rb
index 83ab5302b..4d562d582 100644
--- a/app/models/debate.rb
+++ b/app/models/debate.rb
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ class Debate < ActiveRecord::Base
   end
 
   def link_required?
-    link_required
+    link_required || external_link.present? # needed for edit/update
   end
 
 end