diff --git a/config/alfresco/public-rest-context.xml b/config/alfresco/public-rest-context.xml
index c4ccbdc933..087344e713 100644
--- a/config/alfresco/public-rest-context.xml
+++ b/config/alfresco/public-rest-context.xml
@@ -146,7 +146,6 @@
                 <entry key="org.alfresco.rest.framework.core.exceptions.DisabledServiceException" value="#{T(org.springframework.extensions.webscripts.Status).STATUS_NOT_IMPLEMENTED}" />
                 <entry key="org.alfresco.rest.framework.core.exceptions.InsufficientStorageException" value="507" />
                 <entry key="org.alfresco.repo.node.integrity.IntegrityException" value="422" />
-                <entry key="org.alfresco.service.cmr.security.NoSuchPersonException" value="422" />
             </map>
         </property>
     </bean>
diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/impl/NodesImpl.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/impl/NodesImpl.java
index 30715dce2b..4846205c93 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/impl/NodesImpl.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/rest/api/impl/NodesImpl.java
@@ -1266,6 +1266,8 @@ public class NodesImpl implements Nodes
         }
         props.put(ContentModel.PROP_NAME, nodeName);
 
+        validatePropValues(props);
+
         QName assocQName = QName.createQName(NamespaceService.CONTENT_MODEL_1_0_URI, QName.createValidLocalName(nodeName));
         try
         {
@@ -1292,6 +1294,20 @@ public class NodesImpl implements Nodes
         }
     }
 
+    // special cases: additional validation of property values (if not done by underlying foundation services)
+    private void validatePropValues(Map<QName, Serializable> props)
+    {
+        String newOwner = (String)props.get(ContentModel.PROP_OWNER);
+        if (newOwner != null)
+        {
+            // validate that user exists
+            if (! personService.personExists(newOwner))
+            {
+                throw new InvalidArgumentException("Unknown owner: "+newOwner);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     @Override
     public Node updateNode(String nodeId, Node nodeInfo, Parameters parameters)
     {
@@ -1423,6 +1439,8 @@ public class NodesImpl implements Nodes
 
         if (props.size() > 0)
         {
+            validatePropValues(props);
+
             try
             {
                 // update node properties - note: null will unset the specified property