diff --git a/pillar/settings.py b/pillar/settings.py
index d8fc3509..1c37ed20 100644
--- a/pillar/settings.py
+++ b/pillar/settings.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ users_schema = {
         'type': 'string',
         'minlength': 3,
         'maxlength': 128,
+        'required': True,
     },
     'username': {
         'type': 'string',