diff --git a/backend/open_webui/models/chats.py b/backend/open_webui/models/chats.py
index cadb5a3a79..5449d245d5 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/models/chats.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/models/chats.py
@@ -943,6 +943,16 @@ class ChatTable:
 
             return count
 
+    def count_chats_by_folder_id_and_user_id(self, folder_id: str, user_id: str) -> int:
+        with get_db() as db:
+            query = db.query(Chat).filter_by(user_id=user_id)
+
+            query = query.filter_by(folder_id=folder_id)
+            count = query.count()
+
+            log.info(f"Count of chats for folder '{folder_id}': {count}")
+            return count
+
     def delete_tag_by_id_and_user_id_and_tag_name(
         self, id: str, user_id: str, tag_name: str
     ) -> bool:
diff --git a/backend/open_webui/routers/folders.py b/backend/open_webui/routers/folders.py
index 36dbfee5c5..ddee71ea4d 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/routers/folders.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/routers/folders.py
@@ -262,15 +262,15 @@ async def update_folder_is_expanded_by_id(
 async def delete_folder_by_id(
     request: Request, id: str, user=Depends(get_verified_user)
 ):
-    chat_delete_permission = has_permission(
-        user.id, "chat.delete", request.app.state.config.USER_PERMISSIONS
-    )
-
-    if user.role != "admin" and not chat_delete_permission:
-        raise HTTPException(
-            status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN,
-            detail=ERROR_MESSAGES.ACCESS_PROHIBITED,
+    if Chats.count_chats_by_folder_id_and_user_id(id, user.id):
+        chat_delete_permission = has_permission(
+            user.id, "chat.delete", request.app.state.config.USER_PERMISSIONS
         )
+        if user.role != "admin" and not chat_delete_permission:
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN,
+                detail=ERROR_MESSAGES.ACCESS_PROHIBITED,
+            )
 
     folder = Folders.get_folder_by_id_and_user_id(id, user.id)
     if folder: