diff --git a/api/app/controllers/spree/api/orders_controller.rb b/api/app/controllers/spree/api/orders_controller.rb
index 732c94a2228..36ab89c1e58 100644
--- a/api/app/controllers/spree/api/orders_controller.rb
+++ b/api/app/controllers/spree/api/orders_controller.rb
@@ -46,7 +46,9 @@ def create
 
       def empty
         authorize! :update, @order, order_token
-        @order.empty!
+
+        @order.empty! unless @order.complete?
+
         respond_with(@order, default_template: :show)
       end