diff --git a/api/edge_api/identities/views.py b/api/edge_api/identities/views.py
index ab241b6ba652..48d9bb853240 100644
--- a/api/edge_api/identities/views.py
+++ b/api/edge_api/identities/views.py
@@ -176,6 +176,8 @@ def update_traits(self, request, *args, **kwargs):  # type: ignore[no-untyped-de
         if not environment.project.organisation.persist_trait_data:
             raise TraitPersistenceError()
         edge_identity = self.get_object()
+        if not isinstance(request.data, dict):
+            raise ValidationError("Expected a JSON object (dictionary) for trait data.")
         try:
             trait = TraitModel(**request.data)
         except pydantic.ValidationError as validation_error: