diff --git a/awx/api/views/__init__.py b/awx/api/views/__init__.py
index 525c449bc0..533f617993 100644
--- a/awx/api/views/__init__.py
+++ b/awx/api/views/__init__.py
@@ -344,6 +344,13 @@ class InstanceDetail(RetrieveUpdateAPIView):
     model = models.Instance
     serializer_class = serializers.InstanceSerializer
 
+    def update_raw_data(self, data):
+        # these fields are only valid on creation of an instance, so they unwanted on detail view
+        data.pop('listener_port', None)
+        data.pop('node_type', None)
+        data.pop('hostname', None)
+        return super(InstanceDetail, self).update_raw_data(data)
+
     def update(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
         r = super(InstanceDetail, self).update(request, *args, **kwargs)
         if status.is_success(r.status_code):