diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 0e0ef6b..317bc45 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -321,9 +321,6 @@ pub mod pallet {
 	/// Desired number of candidates.
 	///
 	/// This should always be less than [`Config::MaxCandidates`] for weights to be correct.
-	///
-	/// IMP: This must be less than the session length,
-	/// because rewards are distributed for one collator per block.
 	#[pallet::storage]
 	pub type DesiredCandidates<T> = StorageValue<_, u32, ValueQuery>;
 
@@ -692,6 +689,12 @@ pub mod pallet {
 			T::UpdateOrigin::ensure_origin(origin)?;
 			ensure!(max <= T::MaxCandidates::get(), Error::<T>::TooManyDesiredCandidates);
 
+			let invulnerables = Invulnerables::<T>::get();
+			ensure!(
+				max.saturating_add(invulnerables.len() as u32) >= T::MinEligibleCollators::get(),
+				Error::<T>::TooFewEligibleCollators
+			);
+
 			DesiredCandidates::<T>::set(max);
 			Self::deposit_event(Event::NewDesiredCandidates { desired_candidates: max });
 			Ok(())
diff --git a/src/tests.rs b/src/tests.rs
index 18a6986..ca87206 100644
--- a/src/tests.rs
+++ b/src/tests.rs
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ mod set_desired_candidates {
 				CollatorStaking::set_desired_candidates(RuntimeOrigin::signed(1), 2),
 				BadOrigin
 			);
-			// rejects bad origin
+			// rejects too many
 			assert_noop!(
 				CollatorStaking::set_desired_candidates(
 					RuntimeOrigin::signed(RootAccount::get()),
@@ -242,6 +242,29 @@ mod set_desired_candidates {
 			);
 		});
 	}
+
+	#[test]
+	fn cannot_set_desired_candidates_if_under_min_collator_limit() {
+		new_test_ext().execute_with(|| {
+			initialize_to_block(1);
+			// given
+			assert_eq!(DesiredCandidates::<Test>::get(), 2);
+			assert_eq!(<Test as Config>::MinEligibleCollators::get(), 1);
+			register_candidates(3..=3);
+
+			assert_ok!(CollatorStaking::set_invulnerables(
+				RuntimeOrigin::signed(RootAccount::get()),
+				vec![]
+			));
+			assert_noop!(
+				CollatorStaking::set_desired_candidates(
+					RuntimeOrigin::signed(RootAccount::get()),
+					0
+				),
+				Error::<Test>::TooFewEligibleCollators
+			);
+		});
+	}
 }
 
 mod add_invulnerable {