diff --git a/lib/WebGUI/MetaData.pm b/lib/WebGUI/MetaData.pm
index 2a6d08e12..cc4fce674 100644
--- a/lib/WebGUI/MetaData.pm
+++ b/lib/WebGUI/MetaData.pm
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ The fieldId to be deleted.
 
 sub deleteField {
 	my $fieldId = shift;
-	return unless ($fieldId =~ /^\d+$/);
+	return unless ($fieldId =~ /^\d+$/ || length($fieldId) == 22);
         WebGUI::SQL->write("delete from metaData_properties where fieldId = ".quote($fieldId));
         WebGUI::SQL->write("delete from metaData_values where fieldId = ".quote($fieldId));
 }