diff --git a/src/api/groups.js b/src/api/groups.js
index ad8f3c4f51..58927d9f73 100644
--- a/src/api/groups.js
+++ b/src/api/groups.js
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ groupsAPI.join = async function (caller, data) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (isSelf && groupData.private && groupData.disableJoinRequests) {
+	if (!isCallerAdmin && isSelf && groupData.private && groupData.disableJoinRequests) {
 		throw new Error('[[error:group-join-disabled]]');
 	}
 
diff --git a/test/groups.js b/test/groups.js
index 87d6c8fb69..255a4d52eb 100644
--- a/test/groups.js
+++ b/test/groups.js
@@ -723,6 +723,12 @@ describe('Groups', () => {
 			}
 			meta.config.allowPrivateGroups = oldValue;
 		});
+
+		it('should allow admins to join private groups', async () => {
+			const groupsAPI = require('../src/api/groups');
+			await groupsAPI.join({ uid: adminUid }, { uid: adminUid, slug: 'global-moderators' });
+			assert(await Groups.isMember(adminUid, 'Global Moderators'));
+		});
 	});
 
 	describe('.leave()', () => {