diff --git a/vulnerabilities/api_v3.py b/vulnerabilities/api_v3.py
index 75653ca2b..2e9b2c749 100644
--- a/vulnerabilities/api_v3.py
+++ b/vulnerabilities/api_v3.py
@@ -57,6 +57,14 @@ class PackageQuerySerializer(serializers.Serializer):
     max_advisories = serializers.IntegerField(default=100, min_value=1, max_value=10000)
     reachability = serializers.BooleanField(default=False)
 
+    def validate_purls(self, purls):
+        for purl in purls:
+            try:
+                PackageURL.from_string(purl)
+            except ValueError as e:
+                raise serializers.ValidationError(str(e))
+        return purls
+
     def validate(self, data):
         if not data["purls"]:
             if data["details"] or data["ignore_qualifiers_subpath"]:
diff --git a/vulnerabilities/tests/test_api_v3.py b/vulnerabilities/tests/test_api_v3.py
index c00c21354..2863706c3 100644
--- a/vulnerabilities/tests/test_api_v3.py
+++ b/vulnerabilities/tests/test_api_v3.py
@@ -115,6 +115,24 @@ def test_packages_post_with_details(self):
         pkg = response.data["results"][0]
         self.assertEqual(pkg["purl"], "pkg:pypi/sample@1.0.0")
 
+    def test_packages_post_with_invalid_purl(self):
+        url = reverse("package-v3-list")
+
+        for ignore_qualifiers_subpath in (False, True):
+            with self.subTest(ignore_qualifiers_subpath=ignore_qualifiers_subpath):
+                response = self.client.post(
+                    url,
+                    data={
+                        "purls": ["not-a-purl"],
+                        "details": True,
+                        "ignore_qualifiers_subpath": ignore_qualifiers_subpath,
+                    },
+                    format="json",
+                    HTTP_USER_AGENT="VCIO_API_AGENT",
+                )
+
+                self.assertEqual(response.status_code, status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST)
+
     def test_packages_post_with_details_fixing_vulnerabilities(self):
         url = reverse("package-v3-list")
         GroupAdvisoriesForPackages().execute()