diff --git a/htdocs/public/ticket/create_ticket.php b/htdocs/public/ticket/create_ticket.php
index 0e6515bedd2..ec47aaf4b18 100644
--- a/htdocs/public/ticket/create_ticket.php
+++ b/htdocs/public/ticket/create_ticket.php
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ if (empty($reshook) && $action == 'create_ticket' && GETPOST('save', 'alpha')) {
 		$contacts = $object->searchContactByEmail($origin_email);
 
 		// Ensure that contact is active and select first active contact
-		$cid = 0;
+		$cid = -1;
 		foreach ($contacts as $key => $contact) {
 			if ((int) $contact->statut == 1) {
 				$cid = $key;
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ if (empty($reshook) && $action == 'create_ticket' && GETPOST('save', 'alpha')) {
 
 
 		// Option to require email exists to create ticket
-		if (!empty($conf->global->TICKET_EMAIL_MUST_EXISTS) && !$contacts[$cid]->socid) {
+		if (!empty($conf->global->TICKET_EMAIL_MUST_EXISTS) && ($cid <= 0 || empty($contacts[$cid]->socid))) {
 			$error++;
 			array_push($object->errors, $langs->trans("ErrorEmailMustExistToCreateTicket"));
 			$action = '';