diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-client/src/js/ui/projects/projects.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-client/src/js/ui/projects/projects.js
index 69f42c282..928ab5202 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-client/src/js/ui/projects/projects.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-client/src/js/ui/projects/projects.js
@@ -1601,7 +1601,6 @@ RED.projects = (function() {
         sendRequest({
             url: "projects/"+name,
             type: "PUT",
-            requireCleanWorkspace: true,
             responses: {
                 200: function(data) {
                     done(null,data);
@@ -2359,7 +2358,15 @@ RED.projects = (function() {
                 RED.notify(RED._("user.errors.notAuthorized"),"error");
                 return;
             }
-            show('create',{screen:'open'})
+            if (RED.nodes.dirty()) {
+                return requireCleanWorkspace(function(cancelled) {
+                    if (!cancelled) {
+                        show('create',{screen:'open'})
+                    }
+                })
+            } else {
+                show('create',{screen:'open'})
+            }
         },
         showCredentialsPrompt: function() { //TODO: rename this function
             if (!RED.user.hasPermission("projects.write")) {