diff --git a/src/backend/core/models.py b/src/backend/core/models.py
index e2cd88de2c..eb9e97045f 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/models.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/models.py
@@ -1400,7 +1400,7 @@ def get_abilities(self, user):  # pylint: disable=too-many-locals
             "leave": can_leave,
             "move": is_owner_or_admin and not is_deleted,
             "partial_update": can_update,
-            "restore": is_owner,
+            "restore": is_owner and bool(self.deleted_at),
             "retrieve": retrieve,
             "media_auth": can_get,
             "link_select_options": link_select_options,
diff --git a/src/backend/core/tests/documents/test_api_documents_restore.py b/src/backend/core/tests/documents/test_api_documents_restore.py
index 93a0888648..2196e88c13 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/tests/documents/test_api_documents_restore.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/tests/documents/test_api_documents_restore.py
@@ -110,6 +110,24 @@ def test_api_documents_restore_authenticated_owner_ancestor_deleted():
     assert grand_parent_deleted_at > document_deleted_at
 
 
+def test_api_documents_restore_ability_false_when_only_ancestor_deleted():
+    """The restore ability should be false when only an ancestor is deleted."""
+    user = factories.UserFactory()
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.force_login(user)
+
+    parent = factories.DocumentFactory()
+    document = factories.DocumentFactory(parent=parent)
+    factories.UserDocumentAccessFactory(document=document, user=user, role="owner")
+
+    parent.soft_delete()
+
+    response = client.get(f"/api/v1.0/documents/{document.id!s}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert response.json()["abilities"]["restore"] is False
+
+
 def test_api_documents_restore_authenticated_owner_expired():
     """It should not be possible to restore a document beyond the allowed time limit."""
     user = factories.UserFactory()