diff --git a/lang/en_utf8/quiz.php b/lang/en_utf8/quiz.php
index 87a56913c61..b43e4b09bb4 100644
--- a/lang/en_utf8/quiz.php
+++ b/lang/en_utf8/quiz.php
@@ -102,6 +102,7 @@ $string['correctanswerlength'] = 'Significant Figures';
 $string['correctanswers'] = 'Correct answers';
 $string['correctanswershows'] = 'Correct answer shows';
 $string['corrresp'] = 'Correct Response';
+$string['closebeforeopen'] = 'Could not update the quiz. You have specified a close date before the open date.';
 $string['countdown'] = 'Countdown';
 $string['countdownfinished'] = 'The quiz is closing, you should submit your answers now.';
 $string['countdowntenminutes'] = 'The quiz will be closing in ten minutes.';
diff --git a/mod/quiz/lib.php b/mod/quiz/lib.php
index 3b263d30bf9..7c4df55c313 100644
--- a/mod/quiz/lib.php
+++ b/mod/quiz/lib.php
@@ -78,6 +78,10 @@ function quiz_add_instance($quiz) {
                                                     $quiz->availableminute);
     }
 
+    if ($quiz->timeopen != 0 && $quiz->timeclose != 0 && $quiz->timeclose < $quiz->timeopen) {
+        return get_string('closebeforeopen', 'quiz');
+    }
+
     $quiz->timelimit = round($quiz->timelimit);
 
     if (empty($quiz->name)) {
@@ -171,6 +175,10 @@ function quiz_update_instance($quiz) {
                                                     $quiz->availableminute);
     }
 
+    if ($quiz->timeopen != 0 && $quiz->timeclose != 0 && $quiz->timeclose < $quiz->timeopen) {
+        return get_string('closebeforeopen', 'quiz');
+    }
+
     $quiz->timelimit = round($quiz->timelimit);
 
     $quiz->id = $quiz->instance;