diff --git a/packages/page-staking/src/Actions/Account/InputValidationController.tsx b/packages/page-staking/src/Actions/Account/InputValidationController.tsx
index ec0844286e..53178492d3 100644
--- a/packages/page-staking/src/Actions/Account/InputValidationController.tsx
+++ b/packages/page-staking/src/Actions/Account/InputValidationController.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // This software may be modified and distributed under the terms
 // of the Apache-2.0 license. See the LICENSE file for details.
 
+import { DeriveBalancesAll } from '@polkadot/api-derive/types';
 import { AccountId, StakingLedger } from '@polkadot/types/interfaces';
 
 import React, { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
@@ -26,7 +27,7 @@ interface ErrorState {
 function ValidateController ({ accountId, controllerId, defaultController, onError }: Props): React.ReactElement<Props> | null {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
   const { api } = useApi();
-  const bondedId = useCall<string | null>(api.query.staking.bonded, [controllerId], {
+  const bondedId = useCall<string | null>(controllerId ? api.query.staking.bonded : null, [controllerId], {
     transform: (value: Option<AccountId>): string | null =>
       value.isSome
         ? value.unwrap().toString()
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ function ValidateController ({ accountId, controllerId, defaultController, onErr
         ? value.unwrap().stash.toString()
         : null
   });
+  const allBalances = useCall<DeriveBalancesAll>(controllerId ? api.derive.balances.all : null, [controllerId]);
   const [{ error, isFatal }, setError] = useState<ErrorState>({ error: null, isFatal: false });
 
   useEffect((): void => {
@@ -49,18 +51,21 @@ function ValidateController ({ accountId, controllerId, defaultController, onErr
 
       if (bondedId) {
         isFatal = true;
-        newError = t<string>('A controller account should not map to another stash. This selected controller is a stash, controlled by {{bondedId}}', { replace: { bondedId } });
+        newError = t('A controller account should not map to another stash. This selected controller is a stash, controlled by {{bondedId}}', { replace: { bondedId } });
       } else if (stashId) {
         isFatal = true;
-        newError = t<string>('A controller account should not be set to manages multiple stashes. The selected controller is already controlling {{stashId}}', { replace: { stashId } });
+        newError = t('A controller account should not be set to manage multiple stashes. The selected controller is already controlling {{stashId}}', { replace: { stashId } });
+      } else if (allBalances?.freeBalance.isZero()) {
+        isFatal = true;
+        newError = t('The controller does no have sufficient funds available to cover transaction fees. Ensure that a funded controller is used.');
       } else if (controllerId === accountId) {
-        newError = t<string>('Distinct stash and controller accounts are recommended to ensure fund security. You will be allowed to make the transaction, but take care to not tie up all funds, only use a portion of the available funds during this period.');
+        newError = t('Distinct stash and controller accounts are recommended to ensure fund security. You will be allowed to make the transaction, but take care to not tie up all funds, only use a portion of the available funds during this period.');
       }
 
       onError(newError, isFatal);
       setError((state) => state.error !== newError ? { error: newError, isFatal } : state);
     }
-  }, [accountId, bondedId, controllerId, defaultController, onError, stashId, t]);
+  }, [accountId, allBalances, bondedId, controllerId, defaultController, onError, stashId, t]);
 
   if (!error || !accountId) {
     return null;