diff --git a/erpnext/stock/doctype/item/item.py b/erpnext/stock/doctype/item/item.py
index e93e7d9b615..8f93c3f7ff2 100644
--- a/erpnext/stock/doctype/item/item.py
+++ b/erpnext/stock/doctype/item/item.py
@@ -767,7 +767,7 @@ class Item(WebsiteGenerator):
 					attributes.append(d.attribute)
 
 	def validate_variant_attributes(self):
-		if self.variant_of and self.variant_based_on == 'Item Attribute':
+		if self.is_new() and self.variant_of and self.variant_based_on == 'Item Attribute':
 			args = {}
 			for d in self.attributes:
 				if cstr(d.attribute_value).strip() == '':