diff --git a/internal/config/validate.go b/internal/config/validate.go
index dd2e2919..6c170957 100644
--- a/internal/config/validate.go
+++ b/internal/config/validate.go
@@ -134,6 +134,10 @@ func validatePlan(plan *v1.Plan, repos map[string]*v1.Repo) error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	hasStdinFromCommand := slices.Contains(plan.BackupFlags, "--stdin-from-command")
+	if len(plan.Paths) == 0 && !hasStdinFromCommand {
+		err = multierror.Append(err, fmt.Errorf("at least one path is required (unless --stdin-from-command is used)"))
+	}
 	for idx, p := range plan.Paths {
 		if p == "" {
 			err = multierror.Append(err, fmt.Errorf("path[%d] cannot be empty", idx))
diff --git a/webui/src/features/plans/AddPlanModal.tsx b/webui/src/features/plans/AddPlanModal.tsx
index 25b5d70f..ec87491e 100644
--- a/webui/src/features/plans/AddPlanModal.tsx
+++ b/webui/src/features/plans/AddPlanModal.tsx
@@ -194,9 +194,6 @@ export const AddPlanModal = ({ template }: { template: Plan | null }) => {
       if (!formData.repo) {
         throw new Error(m.add_plan_modal_validation_repository_required());
       }
-      if (!formData.paths || formData.paths.length === 0) {
-        throw new Error(m.add_plan_modal_validation_paths_required());
-      }
       if (
         formData.backup_flags &&
         formData.backup_flags.some((f: string) => !/^\-\-?.*$/.test(f))