diff --git a/backend/src/graphql/resolver/UserResolver.ts b/backend/src/graphql/resolver/UserResolver.ts
index d980dabed..56bb5d0fc 100644
--- a/backend/src/graphql/resolver/UserResolver.ts
+++ b/backend/src/graphql/resolver/UserResolver.ts
@@ -569,7 +569,8 @@ export class UserResolver {
       user.lastName = lastName
     }
 
-    if (alias && (await validateAlias(alias))) {
+    // currently alias can only be set, not updated
+    if (alias && !user.alias && (await validateAlias(alias))) {
       user.alias = alias
     }