diff --git a/packages/backend-core/src/users/db.ts b/packages/backend-core/src/users/db.ts
index 005d55c345..6280c6d789 100644
--- a/packages/backend-core/src/users/db.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-core/src/users/db.ts
@@ -196,6 +196,10 @@ export class UserDB {
       throw new Error("_id or email is required")
     }
 
+    if (user.builder?.apps?.length && !await this.features.isAppBuildersEnabled()) {
+      throw new Error("Unable to update app builders, please check license")
+    }
+
     let dbUser: User | undefined
     if (_id) {
       // try to get existing user from db