diff --git a/src/main/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/model/Person.java b/src/main/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/model/Person.java
index e4a3763f..883376fb 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/model/Person.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/model/Person.java
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 public class Person extends BaseEntity {
 
     @Column(name = "first_name")
+    @NotEmpty
     private String firstName;
 
     @Column(name = "last_name")