diff --git a/jrnl/jrnl.py b/jrnl/jrnl.py
index c79d46e0..601c146d 100644
--- a/jrnl/jrnl.py
+++ b/jrnl/jrnl.py
@@ -146,6 +146,9 @@ def write_mode(args: "Namespace", config: dict, journal: Journal, **kwargs) -> N
     if not raw or raw.isspace():
         logging.error("Write mode: couldn't get raw text or entry was empty")
         raise JrnlException(Message(MsgText.NoTextReceived, MsgStyle.NORMAL))
+    if config["template"] and raw == _get_editor_template(config):
+        logging.error("Write mode: raw text was the same as the template")
+        raise JrnlException(Message(MsgText.NoChangesToTemplate, MsgStyle.NORMAL))
 
     logging.debug(
         'Write mode: appending raw text to journal "%s": %s', args.journal_name, raw
diff --git a/jrnl/messages/MsgText.py b/jrnl/messages/MsgText.py
index 8bcb7695..c090d985 100644
--- a/jrnl/messages/MsgText.py
+++ b/jrnl/messages/MsgText.py
@@ -156,7 +156,9 @@ class MsgText(Enum):
     NoTextReceived = """
         No entry to save, because no text was received
         """
-
+    NoChangesToTemplate = """
+        No entry to save, because the template was not changed
+    """
     # --- Upgrade --- #
     JournalFailedUpgrade = """
         The following journal{s} failed to upgrade: