diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/AuthController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/AuthController.php
index 438e20623..ce4776b1d 100755
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/AuthController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/AuthController.php
@@ -204,6 +204,22 @@ public function postSignUp( SignUpRequest $request )
     {
         Hook::action( 'ns-register-form', $request );
 
+        /**
+         * check user existence
+         */
+        $user   =   User::where( 'email', $request->input( 'email' ) )->first();
+        if ( $user instanceof User ) {
+            throw new NotAllowedException( __( 'Unable to register using this email.' ) );
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * check user existence
+         */
+        $user   =   User::where( 'username', $request->input( 'username' ) )->first();
+        if ( $user instanceof User ) {
+            throw new NotAllowedException( __( 'Unable to register using this username.' ) );
+        }
+
         $options                    =   app()->make( Options::class );
         $role                       =   $options->get( 'ns_registration_role' );
         $registration_validated     =   $options->get( 'ns_registration_validated', 'yes' );
diff --git a/app/Http/Requests/SignUpRequest.php b/app/Http/Requests/SignUpRequest.php
index 158ae620c..3b3c09b5d 100755
--- a/app/Http/Requests/SignUpRequest.php
+++ b/app/Http/Requests/SignUpRequest.php
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@ public function authorize()
     public function rules()
     {
         return [
-            'username'          =>  'required|min:6|unique:nexopos_users',
-            'email'             =>  'email|unique:nexopos_users',
+            'username'          =>  'required|min:6',
+            'email'             =>  'email',
             'password'          =>  'required',
             'password_confirm'  => 'same:password'
         ];
diff --git a/config/nexopos.php b/config/nexopos.php
index dbec858f9..35a4506c6 100755
--- a/config/nexopos.php
+++ b/config/nexopos.php
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <?php
 return [
-    'version'       =>  '4.4.0',
+    'version'       =>  '4.4.1',
     'pos'           =>  [
         // deprecated
         'payments'  =>  [