diff --git a/question/type/numerical/edit_numerical_form.php b/question/type/numerical/edit_numerical_form.php
index 7384d8b03ca..6e6cb1ed480 100644
--- a/question/type/numerical/edit_numerical_form.php
+++ b/question/type/numerical/edit_numerical_form.php
@@ -126,6 +126,11 @@ class question_edit_numerical_form extends question_edit_form {
                 if ($data['fraction'][$key] == 1) {
                     $maxgrade = true;
                 }
+            } else {
+                if ($data['fraction'][$key] !=0 || trim($data['feedback'][$key]) != ''){                
+                    $errors["answer[$key]"] = get_string('answermustbenumberorstar', 'qtype_numerical');
+                    $answercount++;
+                }
             }
         }
         if ($answercount==0){