diff --git a/src/views/feature/Feature_edit.vue b/src/views/feature/Feature_edit.vue
index 8d8bd8066691082a3cbfabad9028a990c8a8f1ef..6df41e8301ffa2988452a454475435ab57989aa6 100644
--- a/src/views/feature/Feature_edit.vue
+++ b/src/views/feature/Feature_edit.vue
@@ -693,9 +693,10 @@ export default {
       }
 
       if (is_valid) {
-        //* if moderate project modified by someone else than admin or moderator, switch status to pending
+        //* if moderate project modified by someone else than admin or moderator, switch published status to pending
         if (
           this.project.moderation &&
+          this.form.status.value.value === "published" &&
           !this.permissions.is_project_administrator &&
           !this.permissions.is_project_moderator &&
           this.feature.status === "pending" //* allow (super)contributor to change status to pending