diff --git a/server/workspace_server.go b/server/workspace_server.go
index 577e239..08050ce 100644
--- a/server/workspace_server.go
+++ b/server/workspace_server.go
@@ -5,14 +5,20 @@ import (
 	"github.com/golang/protobuf/ptypes/empty"
 	"github.com/onepanelio/core/api"
 	v1 "github.com/onepanelio/core/pkg"
+	"github.com/onepanelio/core/pkg/util"
 	"github.com/onepanelio/core/pkg/util/pagination"
 	"github.com/onepanelio/core/pkg/util/ptr"
 	"github.com/onepanelio/core/server/auth"
 	"github.com/onepanelio/core/server/converter"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
 	"time"
 )
 
+var reservedWorkspaceNames = map[string]bool{
+	"modeldb": true,
+}
+
 type WorkspaceServer struct{}
 
 func apiWorkspace(wt *v1.Workspace, config v1.SystemConfig) *api.Workspace {
@@ -106,6 +112,10 @@ func (s *WorkspaceServer) CreateWorkspace(ctx context.Context, req *api.CreateWo
 		})
 	}
 
+	if _, isReserved := reservedWorkspaceNames[workspace.Name]; isReserved {
+		return nil, util.NewUserError(codes.AlreadyExists, "That name is reserved, choose a different name for the workspace.")
+	}
+
 	workspace, err = client.CreateWorkspace(req.Namespace, workspace)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err