diff --git a/src/backend/base/langflow/api/v1/variable.py b/src/backend/base/langflow/api/v1/variable.py
index b1cca14c1..f992c1429 100644
--- a/src/backend/base/langflow/api/v1/variable.py
+++ b/src/backend/base/langflow/api/v1/variable.py
@@ -37,7 +37,11 @@ def create_variable(
         variable_dict["user_id"] = current_user.id
 
         db_variable = Variable.model_validate(variable_dict)
-        if not db_variable.value:
+        if not db_variable.name and not db_variable.value:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Variable name and value cannot be empty")
+        elif not db_variable.name:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Variable name cannot be empty")
+        elif not db_variable.value:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Variable value cannot be empty")
         encrypted = auth_utils.encrypt_api_key(db_variable.value, settings_service=settings_service)
         db_variable.value = encrypted