diff --git a/webnotes/model/__init__.py b/webnotes/model/__init__.py
index 7cbd28e879..46ad008f30 100644
--- a/webnotes/model/__init__.py
+++ b/webnotes/model/__init__.py
@@ -66,7 +66,12 @@ def check_if_doc_is_linked(dt, dn):
 		else:
 			item = None
 			try:
-				item = sql("select name, parent, parenttype from `tab%s` where `%s`='%s' and docstatus!=2 and `%s`!=parent limit 1" % (link_dt, link_field, dn, link_field))
+				# (ifnull(parent, '')='' or `%s`!=`parent`)
+				# this condition ensures that it allows deletion when child table field references parent
+				
+				item = sql("select name, parent, parenttype from `tab%s` where `%s`='%s' and docstatus!=2 and (ifnull(parent, '')='' or `%s`!=`parent`) \
+					limit 1" % (link_dt, link_field, dn, link_field), debug=1)
+
 			except Exception, e:
 				if e.args[0]==1146: pass
 				else: raise e