diff --git a/app/models/workgroup.rb b/app/models/workgroup.rb
index 21023a43..6c93d693 100644
--- a/app/models/workgroup.rb
+++ b/app/models/workgroup.rb
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class Workgroup < Group
   # add validation check on update
   # Return an error if this is the last group with admin role and role_admin should set to false
   def last_admin_on_earth
-    if !role_admin  && Workgroup.where(:role_admin => true, :id.ne => id).empty?
+    if !role_admin && !Workgroup.where('role_admin = ? AND id != ?', true, id).exists?
       errors.add(:role_admin, I18n.t('workgroups.error_last_admin_role'))
     end
   end