diff --git a/teammapper-backend/src/map/services/maps.service.ts b/teammapper-backend/src/map/services/maps.service.ts
index b8dfa2aa..506511b0 100644
--- a/teammapper-backend/src/map/services/maps.service.ts
+++ b/teammapper-backend/src/map/services/maps.service.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ export class MapsService {
   }
 
   async addNode(mapId: string, clientNode: IMmpClientNode): Promise<MmpNode> {
+    // detached nodes are not allowed to have a parent
+    if (clientNode.detached && clientNode.parent) return
+
     const existingNode = await this.nodesRepository.findOne({
       where: { id: clientNode.id, nodeMapId: mapId },
     });