diff --git a/lib/models/statementForwarding.js b/lib/models/statementForwarding.js
index 669b2bfa9b..b78826f220 100644
--- a/lib/models/statementForwarding.js
+++ b/lib/models/statementForwarding.js
@@ -163,7 +163,20 @@ const schema = new mongoose.Schema({
     }
   },
   owner: { type: mongoose.Schema.Types.ObjectId, ref: 'User', index: true },
-  query: { type: String },
+  query: {
+    type: String,
+    validate: {
+      validator: value => {
+        try {
+          JSON.parse(value);
+        } catch (err) {
+          return false;
+        }
+        return true;
+      },
+      message: "Invalid query"
+    }
+  },
   isPublic: { type: Boolean, default: false }
 });