1 files changed, 3 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/Digitigrade/Model/Actor.php b/Digitigrade/Model/Actor.php
index 5974f40..2d5eba7 100644
--- a/Digitigrade/Model/Actor.php
+++ b/Digitigrade/Model/Actor.php
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ class Actor extends PushableModel {
         bool $automated = false,
         bool $requestToFollow = true // setting this true by default as i think it's better for privacy
     ): self {
+        if (self::findLocalByHandle($handle) != null) {
+            throw new \RuntimeException('an actor with that local handle already exists!');
+        }
         $actor = new self();
         $actor->uri = path_to_uri("/user/$handle");
         $actor->isLocal = true;