diff --git a/files/routes/awards.py b/files/routes/awards.py
index 02fe975f34..e97d487816 100644
--- a/files/routes/awards.py
+++ b/files/routes/awards.py
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ def award_thing(v, thing_type, id):
 				abort(400, "Invalid username")
 
 			existing = get_user(new_name, graceful=True)
-			if existing:
+			if existing and existing.id != author.id:
 				abort(400, f"@{new_name} is already taken!")
 
 			if not author.prelock_username: