diff --git a/system/Model.php b/system/Model.php
index 93d55feaa985..04a88df52574 100644
--- a/system/Model.php
+++ b/system/Model.php
@@ -817,6 +817,12 @@ public function update($id = null, $data = null): bool
 			$data = (array) $data;
 		}
 
+		// If it's still empty here, means $data is no change or is empty object
+		if (empty($data))
+		{
+			throw DataException::forEmptyDataset('update');
+		}
+
 		// Validate data before saving.
 		if ($this->skipValidation === false)
 		{