diff --git a/atst/forms/financial.py b/atst/forms/financial.py
index 68196837..674eace4 100644
--- a/atst/forms/financial.py
+++ b/atst/forms/financial.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class FinancialForm(ValidatedForm):
         "Unique Item Identifier (UII)s related to your application(s) if you already have them."
     )
 
-    pe_id = StringField("Program Element (PE) Number related to your request")
+    pe_id = StringField("Program Element (PE) Number related to your request", validators=[Required()])
 
     treasury_code = StringField("Program Treasury Code")
 
diff --git a/atst/routes/requests/financial_verification.py b/atst/routes/requests/financial_verification.py
index ce70eaee..f6b8cfda 100644
--- a/atst/routes/requests/financial_verification.py
+++ b/atst/routes/requests/financial_verification.py
@@ -25,10 +25,10 @@ def update_financial_verification(request_id):
 
     if form.validate():
         request_data = {"financial_verification": post_data}
-        Requests.update(request_id, request_data)
         valid = form.perform_extra_validation(
             existing_request.body.get("financial_verification")
         )
+        Requests.update(request_id, request_data)
         if valid:
             return redirect(url_for("requests.financial_verification_submitted"))
         else:
diff --git a/tests/routes/test_financial_verification.py b/tests/routes/test_financial_verification.py
index e15638df..8e62cc48 100644
--- a/tests/routes/test_financial_verification.py
+++ b/tests/routes/test_financial_verification.py
@@ -72,3 +72,14 @@ class TestPENumberInForm:
 
         assert response.status_code == 302
         assert "/requests/financial_verification_submitted" in response.headers.get("Location")
+
+    def test_submit_request_form_with_missing_pe_id(self, monkeypatch, client):
+        self._set_monkeypatches(monkeypatch)
+
+        data = dict(self.required_data)
+        data['pe_id'] = ''
+
+        response = self.submit_data(client, data)
+
+        assert "There were some errors, see below" in response.data.decode()
+        assert response.status_code == 200