diff --git a/awx/api/serializers.py b/awx/api/serializers.py
index d6aa39f706..e6b25953d1 100644
--- a/awx/api/serializers.py
+++ b/awx/api/serializers.py
@@ -2322,6 +2322,9 @@ class WorkflowJobTemplateNodeSerializer(WorkflowNodeBaseSerializer):
                     raise serializers.ValidationError({
                         "job_type": "%s is not a valid job type. The choices are %s." % (
                             attrs['char_prompts']['job_type'], job_types)})
+        if self.instance is None and ('workflow_job_template' not in attrs or
+                                      attrs['workflow_job_template'] is None):
+            raise serializers.ValidationError({"workflow_job_template": "Workflow job template is missing during creation"})
         ujt_obj = attrs.get('unified_job_template', None)
         if isinstance(ujt_obj, (WorkflowJobTemplate, SystemJobTemplate)):
             raise serializers.ValidationError({
diff --git a/awx/main/models/workflow.py b/awx/main/models/workflow.py
index 2848b38a4a..d109b43519 100644
--- a/awx/main/models/workflow.py
+++ b/awx/main/models/workflow.py
@@ -140,7 +140,6 @@ class WorkflowNodeBase(CreatedModifiedModel):
                 'inventory', 'credential', 'char_prompts']
 
 class WorkflowJobTemplateNode(WorkflowNodeBase):
-    # TODO: Ensure the API forces workflow_job_template being set
     workflow_job_template = models.ForeignKey(
         'WorkflowJobTemplate',
         related_name='workflow_job_template_nodes',
@@ -149,7 +148,7 @@ class WorkflowJobTemplateNode(WorkflowNodeBase):
         default=None,
         on_delete=models.CASCADE,
     )
-    
+
     def get_absolute_url(self):
         return reverse('api:workflow_job_template_node_detail', args=(self.pk,))