diff --git a/src/controllers/groups.js b/src/controllers/groups.js
index caa36809cc..06f87e82a5 100644
--- a/src/controllers/groups.js
+++ b/src/controllers/groups.js
@@ -292,14 +292,18 @@ api.clearFlagCount = function(req, res, next){
 
   if(!message) return res.json(404, {err: "Message not found!"});
 
-  if(user.contributor.admin)
+  if(user.contributor.admin){
     message.flagCount = 0;
+
+    group.markModified('chat');
+    group.save(function(err,_saved){
+      if(err) return next(err);
+      return res.send(204);
+    });
+  }else{
+    return res.json(401, {err: "Only an admin can clear the flag count!"})
+  }
   
-  group.markModified('chat');
-  group.save(function(err,_saved){
-    if(err) return next(err);
-    return res.send(204);
-  });
 }
 
 api.seenMessage = function(req,res,next){