diff --git a/project_amber/controllers/task.py b/project_amber/controllers/task.py
index d577a7f..bde7103 100644
--- a/project_amber/controllers/task.py
+++ b/project_amber/controllers/task.py
@@ -78,6 +78,9 @@ def update_task(self, task_id: int, data: dict) -> int:
         """
         task = self.get_task(task_id)
         new_details = Task(self.user.id, data)
+        # will drop 404 on a non-existent PID
+        # TODO: a little too hackish
+        self.get_task(new_details.parent_id)
         task.merge(new_details)
         if not new_details.parent_id is None:
             if new_details.parent_id == 0: