diff --git a/curriculum/schema/challenge-schema.js b/curriculum/schema/challenge-schema.js
index 2d9805c6550..a2b49baa36d 100644
--- a/curriculum/schema/challenge-schema.js
+++ b/curriculum/schema/challenge-schema.js
@@ -209,7 +209,11 @@ const schema = Joi.object()
     }),
     forumTopicId: Joi.number(),
     id: Joi.objectId().required(),
-    instructions: Joi.string().allow(''),
+    instructions: Joi.string().when('challengeType', {
+      is: [challengeTypes.pythonProject, challengeTypes.codeAllyCert],
+      then: Joi.string().min(1).required(),
+      otherwise: Joi.string().allow('')
+    }),
     isComingSoon: Joi.bool(),
     isLocked: Joi.bool(),
     isPrivate: Joi.bool(),