diff --git a/src/views/feature/Feature_edit.vue b/src/views/feature/Feature_edit.vue
index 554ab8f910083a150ac0f5f9d53ad9d27ed3ddcb..5834059c226058a71a64ab7d8d773869e46a799f 100644
--- a/src/views/feature/Feature_edit.vue
+++ b/src/views/feature/Feature_edit.vue
@@ -688,9 +688,10 @@ 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
         ) {