diff --git a/cmd/gotosocial/action/admin/account/account.go b/cmd/gotosocial/action/admin/account/account.go
index 422e4bfef..17a27c199 100644
--- a/cmd/gotosocial/action/admin/account/account.go
+++ b/cmd/gotosocial/action/admin/account/account.go
@@ -46,6 +46,14 @@
 		return err
 	}
 
+	usernameAvailable, err := dbConn.IsUsernameAvailable(ctx, username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if !usernameAvailable {
+		return fmt.Errorf("username %s is already in use", username)
+	}
+
 	email := config.GetAdminAccountEmail()
 	if email == "" {
 		return errors.New("no email set")
@@ -54,6 +62,14 @@
 		return err
 	}
 
+	emailAvailable, err := dbConn.IsEmailAvailable(ctx, email)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if !emailAvailable {
+		return fmt.Errorf("email address %s is already in use", email)
+	}
+
 	password := config.GetAdminAccountPassword()
 	if password == "" {
 		return errors.New("no password set")