diff --git a/matweb/rest_api.py b/matweb/rest_api.py
index 429b82e..2909cf6 100644
--- a/matweb/rest_api.py
+++ b/matweb/rest_api.py
@@ -106,6 +106,8 @@ class APIBulkDownloadCreator(Resource):
     def post(self):
         utils.check_upload_folder(current_app.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'])
         data = request.json
+        if not data:
+            abort(400, message="Post Body Required")
         if not self.v.validate(data):
             abort(400, message=self.v.errors)
         # prevent the zip file from being overwritten
diff --git a/test/test_api.py b/test/test_api.py
index be9cb29..6961197 100644
--- a/test/test_api.py
+++ b/test/test_api.py
@@ -263,6 +263,14 @@ class Mat2APITestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         request = self.app.get(upload_two['download_link'])
         self.assertEqual(request.status_code, 404)
 
+    def test_api_bulk_empty_body(self):
+        request = self.app.post(
+            '/api/download/bulk',
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(400, request.status_code)
+        error_message = request.get_json()['message']
+        self.assertEqual("Post Body Required", error_message)
+
     def test_api_bulk_download_validation(self):
         post_body = {
             u'download_list': [