diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/RegisterController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/RegisterController.php
index ec7e15b7c..bc01b9489 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/RegisterController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/RegisterController.php
@@ -58,7 +58,6 @@ class RegisterController extends Controller
             $data['email'] = strtolower($data['email']);
         }
 
-        $this->validateUsername($data['username']);
         $this->validateEmail($data['email']);
 
         $usernameRules = [
@@ -87,6 +86,11 @@ class RegisterController extends Controller
                 if(!ctype_alnum($val)) {
                     return $fail('Username is invalid. Username must be alpha-numeric and may contain dashes (-), periods (.) and underscores (_).');
                 }
+
+                $restricted = RestrictedNames::get();
+                if (in_array($value, $restricted)) {
+                    return $fail('Username cannot be used.');
+                }
             },
         ];
 
@@ -123,15 +127,6 @@ class RegisterController extends Controller
         ]);
     }
 
-    public function validateUsername($username)
-    {
-        $restricted = RestrictedNames::get();
-
-        if (in_array($username, $restricted)) {
-            return abort(403);
-        }
-    }
-
     public function validateEmail($email)
     {
         $banned = EmailService::isBanned($email);