diff --git a/remote-api/src/main/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/impl/PeopleImpl.java b/remote-api/src/main/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/impl/PeopleImpl.java
index 0562766357..b6d1e633ad 100644
--- a/remote-api/src/main/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/impl/PeopleImpl.java
+++ b/remote-api/src/main/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/impl/PeopleImpl.java
@@ -712,7 +712,7 @@ public class PeopleImpl implements People
         Boolean isEnabled = person.isEnabled();
         if (isEnabled != null)
         {
-            if (isAdminAuthority(personIdToUpdate))
+            if (!isEnabled && isAdminAuthority(personIdToUpdate))
             {
                 throw new PermissionDeniedException("Admin authority cannot be disabled.");
             }
diff --git a/remote-api/src/main/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/model/Person.java b/remote-api/src/main/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/model/Person.java
index 90f02b8f1b..b7368ecd47 100644
--- a/remote-api/src/main/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/model/Person.java
+++ b/remote-api/src/main/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/model/Person.java
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ public class Person implements Serializable
 
     public Boolean isEnabled()
     {
-        return enabled;
+        return enabled == null ? Boolean.FALSE : enabled;
     }
 
     public void setEnabled(Boolean enabled)