diff --git a/ckan/lib/plugins.py b/ckan/lib/plugins.py
index a87829ae48c..3aa66cd857f 100644
--- a/ckan/lib/plugins.py
+++ b/ckan/lib/plugins.py
@@ -165,9 +165,10 @@ def plugin_validate(plugin, context, data_dict, schema, action):
     Backwards compatibility with 2.x dataset group and org plugins:
     return a default validate method if one has not been provided.
     """
-    result = plugin.validate(context, data_dict, schema, action)
-    if result is not None:
-        return result
+    if hasattr(plugin, 'validate'):
+        result = plugin.validate(context, data_dict, schema, action)
+        if result is not None:
+            return result
 
     return toolkit.navl_validate(data_dict, schema, context)