diff --git a/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py b/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py
index 5f469b6a7fd..b5cc37e48fa 100644
--- a/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py
+++ b/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py
@@ -172,7 +172,14 @@ def validate_returned_items(doc):
 				items_returned = True
 
 		elif d.item_name:
-			items_returned = True
+			if doc.doctype in ("Purchase Invoice", "Purchase Receipt", "Subcontracting Receipt"):
+				# No item_code here means no linked Item, so there's no accepted/rejected
+				# split to speak of - received_qty isn't a meaningful independent signal.
+				# Only a negative qty (i.e. a real negative billing amount) counts.
+				if flt(d.qty) < 0:
+					items_returned = True
+			else:
+				items_returned = True
 
 	if not items_returned:
 		frappe.throw(_("Atleast one item should be entered with negative quantity in return document"))