diff --git a/src/documents/serialisers.py b/src/documents/serialisers.py
index 98dbe76e0..fb164fb1c 100644
--- a/src/documents/serialisers.py
+++ b/src/documents/serialisers.py
@@ -3288,17 +3288,32 @@ class WorkflowSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer[Workflow]):
     def validate(self, attrs):
         attrs = super().validate(attrs)
 
-        triggers = attrs.get("triggers") or []
-        actions = attrs.get("actions") or []
+        if "actions" in attrs:
+            has_remote_ocr_action = any(
+                action.get("type") == WorkflowAction.WorkflowActionType.REMOTE_OCR
+                for action in attrs["actions"]
+            )
+        else:
+            has_remote_ocr_action = self.instance is not None and (
+                self.instance.actions.filter(
+                    type=WorkflowAction.WorkflowActionType.REMOTE_OCR,
+                ).exists()
+            )
+
+        if "triggers" in attrs:
+            has_consumption_trigger = any(
+                trigger.get("type") == WorkflowTrigger.WorkflowTriggerType.CONSUMPTION
+                for trigger in attrs["triggers"]
+            )
+        else:
+            has_consumption_trigger = self.instance is not None and (
+                self.instance.triggers.filter(
+                    type=WorkflowTrigger.WorkflowTriggerType.CONSUMPTION,
+                ).exists()
+            )
 
         # Remote OCR can only work with consumption triggers
-        if any(
-            action.get("type") == WorkflowAction.WorkflowActionType.REMOTE_OCR
-            for action in actions
-        ) and not any(
-            trigger.get("type") == WorkflowTrigger.WorkflowTriggerType.CONSUMPTION
-            for trigger in triggers
-        ):
+        if has_remote_ocr_action and not has_consumption_trigger:
             raise serializers.ValidationError(
                 "Remote OCR actions require a consumption started trigger",
             )
diff --git a/src/documents/tests/test_api_workflows.py b/src/documents/tests/test_api_workflows.py
index 1055e884e..8c328f047 100644
--- a/src/documents/tests/test_api_workflows.py
+++ b/src/documents/tests/test_api_workflows.py
@@ -466,6 +466,65 @@ class TestApiWorkflows(DirectoriesMixin, APITestCase):
 
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, status.HTTP_201_CREATED)
 
+    def test_api_partial_update_adds_remote_ocr_action(self) -> None:
+        """
+        GIVEN:
+            - An existing workflow with a consumption started trigger
+        WHEN:
+            - A partial update adds a remote OCR action without resubmitting triggers
+        THEN:
+            - The existing trigger is considered and the update succeeds
+        """
+        response = self.client.patch(
+            f"{self.ENDPOINT}{self.workflow.id}/",
+            json.dumps(
+                {
+                    "actions": [
+                        {
+                            "type": WorkflowAction.WorkflowActionType.REMOTE_OCR,
+                        },
+                    ],
+                },
+            ),
+            content_type="application/json",
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            self.workflow.actions.get().type,
+            WorkflowAction.WorkflowActionType.REMOTE_OCR,
+        )
+
+    def test_api_partial_update_cannot_remove_remote_ocr_trigger(self) -> None:
+        """
+        GIVEN:
+            - An existing workflow with a remote OCR action
+            - An existing consumption started trigger
+        WHEN:
+            - A partial update replaces the trigger without resubmitting actions
+        THEN:
+            - The existing action is considered and the update is rejected
+        """
+        self.action.type = WorkflowAction.WorkflowActionType.REMOTE_OCR
+        self.action.save()
+
+        response = self.client.patch(
+            f"{self.ENDPOINT}{self.workflow.id}/",
+            json.dumps(
+                {
+                    "triggers": [
+                        {
+                            "type": WorkflowTrigger.WorkflowTriggerType.DOCUMENT_UPDATED,
+                        },
+                    ],
+                },
+            ),
+            content_type="application/json",
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST)
+        self.assertEqual(self.workflow.triggers.get(), self.trigger)
+
     def test_api_create_workflow_trigger_action_empty_fields(self) -> None:
         """
         GIVEN: