diff --git a/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py b/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py
index 8cf11f785be..2fddcdf24c5 100644
--- a/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py
+++ b/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ def validate_returned_items(doc):
 
 	items_returned = False
 	for d in doc.get("items"):
-		if flt(d.qty) < 0 or d.get('received_qty') < 0:
+		if d.item_code and (flt(d.qty) < 0 or d.get('received_qty') < 0):
 			if d.item_code not in valid_items:
 				frappe.throw(_("Row # {0}: Returned Item {1} does not exists in {2} {3}")
 					.format(d.idx, d.item_code, doc.doctype, doc.return_against))
@@ -107,6 +107,9 @@ def validate_returned_items(doc):
 
 			items_returned = True
 
+		elif d.item_name:
+			items_returned = True
+
 	if not items_returned:
 		frappe.throw(_("Atleast one item should be entered with negative quantity in return document"))