diff --git a/backend/open_webui/utils/automations.py b/backend/open_webui/utils/automations.py
index be5d6868f1..d6c0f4dfe4 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/utils/automations.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/utils/automations.py
@@ -261,6 +261,13 @@ async def _execute_channel_automation(
     if not channel_id or not await Config.get('channels.enable'):
         raise ValueError('Channel not found')
 
+    from open_webui.utils.access_control import has_permission
+
+    if user.role != 'admin' and not await has_permission(
+        user.id, 'features.channels', await Config.get('user.permissions')
+    ):
+        raise ValueError('Owner no longer permitted to use channels')
+
     model = getattr(app.state, 'MODELS', {}).get(model_id, {})
     request = _build_request(app, token=token)