diff --git a/modules/gallery/models/item.php b/modules/gallery/models/item.php
index e4ff0bfba2..9706d61f49 100644
--- a/modules/gallery/models/item.php
+++ b/modules/gallery/models/item.php
@@ -71,6 +71,12 @@ public function is_movie() {
   }
 
   public function delete() {
+    if ($this->id == 1) {
+      $v = new Validation(array("id"));
+      $v->add_error("id", "cant_delete_root_album");
+      ORM_Validation_Exception::handle_validation($this->table_name, $v);
+    }
+
     $old = clone $this;
     module::event("item_before_delete", $this);
 
diff --git a/modules/gallery/tests/Item_Model_Test.php b/modules/gallery/tests/Item_Model_Test.php
index 1e77076a21..eb9ecc9939 100644
--- a/modules/gallery/tests/Item_Model_Test.php
+++ b/modules/gallery/tests/Item_Model_Test.php
@@ -336,4 +336,14 @@ public function cant_change_item_type_test() {
     }
     $this->assert_true(false, "Shouldn't get here");
   }
+
+  public function cant_delete_root_album_test() {
+    try {
+      item::root()->delete();
+    } catch (ORM_Validation_Exception $e) {
+      $this->assert_same(array("id" => "cant_delete_root_album"), $e->validation->errors());
+      return;  // pass
+    }
+    $this->assert_true(false, "Shouldn't get here");
+  }
 }