diff --git a/backend/download/serializers.py b/backend/download/serializers.py
index f34a4ce7..bcaf33a9 100644
--- a/backend/download/serializers.py
+++ b/backend/download/serializers.py
@@ -10,13 +10,15 @@ from video.src.constants import VideoTypeEnum
 class DownloadItemSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
     """serialize download item"""
 
-    auto_start = serializers.BooleanField()
+    auto_start = serializers.BooleanField(required=False)
     channel_id = serializers.CharField()
     channel_indexed = serializers.BooleanField()
     channel_name = serializers.CharField()
     duration = serializers.CharField()
     published = serializers.CharField(allow_null=True)
-    status = serializers.ChoiceField(choices=["pending", "ignore"])
+    status = serializers.ChoiceField(
+        choices=["pending", "ignore"], required=False
+    )
     timestamp = serializers.IntegerField(allow_null=True)
     title = serializers.CharField()
     vid_thumb_url = serializers.CharField(allow_null=True)
diff --git a/backend/download/src/queue.py b/backend/download/src/queue.py
index 52ae114c..f372c5ea 100644
--- a/backend/download/src/queue.py
+++ b/backend/download/src/queue.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from common.src.helper import (
     rand_sleep,
 )
 from common.src.urlparser import ParsedURLType
+from download.serializers import DownloadItemSerializer
 from download.src.queue_interact import PendingInteract
 from download.src.thumbnails import ThumbManager
 from playlist.src.index import YoutubePlaylist
@@ -379,6 +380,12 @@ class PendingList(PendingIndex):
             "channel_id": video_data["channel_id"],
             "channel_indexed": video_data["channel_id"] in self.all_channels,
         }
+        serializer = DownloadItemSerializer(data=to_add)
+        is_valid = serializer.is_valid()
+        if not is_valid:
+            print(f"{youtube_id}: serializer failed: {serializer.errors}")
+            self._notify_fail(403, youtube_id)
+            return None
 
         return to_add