diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/translate.js b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/translate.js
index 3df647640e..71ddd3e7af 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/translate.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/translate.js
@@ -1193,7 +1193,7 @@ Zotero.Translate.prototype._itemDone = function(item, attachedTo) {
 		}
 	
 		// create short title
-		if(item.shortTitle === undefined) {
+		if(item.shortTitle === undefined && Zotero.ItemFields.isValidForType("shortTitle", typeID)) {
 			// get field id
 			var fieldID = Zotero.ItemFields.getFieldIDFromTypeAndBase(typeID, "title");
 			// get title