diff --git a/src/Ardent/Ardent.php b/src/Ardent/Ardent.php
index 660e650..8773ce2 100755
--- a/src/Ardent/Ardent.php
+++ b/src/Ardent/Ardent.php
@@ -624,7 +624,7 @@ protected function internalSave(array $rules = array(),
             self::saved($afterSave);
         }
 
-        $valid = $this->validate($rules, $customMessages);
+        $valid = $this->validateUniques($rules, $customMessages);
 
         if ($force || $valid) {
             return $this->performSave($options);