diff --git a/frappe/printing/doctype/letter_head/letter_head.py b/frappe/printing/doctype/letter_head/letter_head.py
index b47040e50b..3a3b14faad 100644
--- a/frappe/printing/doctype/letter_head/letter_head.py
+++ b/frappe/printing/doctype/letter_head/letter_head.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 import frappe
 from frappe.utils import is_image
 from frappe.model.document import Document
+from frappe import _
 
 class LetterHead(Document):
 	def before_insert(self):
@@ -13,8 +14,14 @@ class LetterHead(Document):
 
 	def validate(self):
 		self.set_image()
-		if not self.is_default:
-			if not frappe.db.sql("""select count(*) from `tabLetter Head` where ifnull(is_default,0)=1"""):
+		self.validate_disabled_and_default()
+
+	def validate_disabled_and_default(self):
+		if self.disabled and self.is_default:
+			frappe.throw(_("Letter Head cannot be both disabled and default"))
+		
+		if not self.is_default and not self.disabled:
+			if not frappe.db.exists('Letter Head', dict(is_default=1)):
 				self.is_default = 1
 
 	def set_image(self):