diff --git a/cmd/web/handlers.go b/cmd/web/handlers.go
index a4d5e53..bb3f645 100644
--- a/cmd/web/handlers.go
+++ b/cmd/web/handlers.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (app *application) createElection(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	request.CheckField(validator.GreaterThan(len(request.Choices), 1), "choices", "there must be more than 1 choice")
 
 	request.CheckField(
-		!(request.AreVotersKnown && request.MaxVoters == nil),
+		!(request.AreVotersKnown && (request.MaxVoters == nil || *request.MaxVoters < 1)),
 		"maxVoters",
 		"must be greater than 0 when voters are known",
 	)