diff --git a/backend/core/models.py b/backend/core/models.py
index 1b5267133..f3e148f16 100644
--- a/backend/core/models.py
+++ b/backend/core/models.py
@@ -2621,7 +2621,8 @@ def create_applied_controls_from_suggestions(self) -> list[AppliedControl]:
                     exc_info=e,
                 )
                 continue
-        self.applied_controls.set(applied_controls)
+        if applied_controls:
+            self.applied_controls.add(applied_controls)
         return applied_controls
 
     class Meta:
diff --git a/backend/core/serializers.py b/backend/core/serializers.py
index 1180b179b..85eca813f 100644
--- a/backend/core/serializers.py
+++ b/backend/core/serializers.py
@@ -479,6 +479,7 @@ class Meta:
 class FrameworkReadSerializer(ReferentialSerializer):
     folder = FieldsRelatedField()
     library = FieldsRelatedField(["name", "id"])
+    reference_controls = FieldsRelatedField(many=True)
 
     class Meta:
         model = Framework
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/Forms/ModelForm/ComplianceAssessmentForm.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/Forms/ModelForm/ComplianceAssessmentForm.svelte
index 6b77f02c5..bbfe2a9f3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/Forms/ModelForm/ComplianceAssessmentForm.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/Forms/ModelForm/ComplianceAssessmentForm.svelte
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 	export let initialData: Record<string, any> = {};
 	export let object: any = {};
 	export let context: string;
+
+	let suggestions = false;
 </script>
 
 {#if context === 'fromBaseline' && initialData.baseline}
@@ -72,6 +74,7 @@
 					model.selectOptions['selected_implementation_groups'] = implementation_groups.map(
 						(group) => ({ label: group.name, value: group.ref_id })
 					);
+					suggestions = r['reference_controls'].length > 0;
 				});
 		}
 	}}
@@ -131,7 +134,7 @@
 	cacheLock={cacheLocks['observation']}
 	bind:cachedValue={formDataCache['observation']}
 />
-{#if context === 'create'}
+{#if context === 'create' && suggestions}
 	<Checkbox
 		{form}
 		field="create_applied_controls_from_suggestions"