diff --git a/core/notifications/migrations/0001_initial.py b/core/notifications/migrations/0001_initial.py
index 7580f03..4d276eb 100644
--- a/core/notifications/migrations/0001_initial.py
+++ b/core/notifications/migrations/0001_initial.py
@@ -16,9 +16,11 @@ class Migration(migrations.Migration):
     ]
 
     def create_required_templates(apps, schema_editor):
-        MessageTemplate.objects.create(name='auto_reply', message=auto_reply_body)
-        MessageTemplate.objects.create(name='new_issue_notification', message=new_issue_notification)
-        MessageTemplate.objects.create(name='reply_issue_notification', message=reply_issue_notification)
+        MessageTemplate.objects.create(name='auto_reply', message=auto_reply_body, marked_required=True)
+        MessageTemplate.objects.create(name='new_issue_notification', message=new_issue_notification,
+                                       marked_required=True)
+        MessageTemplate.objects.create(name='reply_issue_notification', message=reply_issue_notification,
+                                       marked_required=True)
 
     operations = [
         migrations.CreateModel(
@@ -29,6 +31,7 @@ class Migration(migrations.Migration):
                 ('message', models.TextField()),
                 ('created', models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)),
                 ('marked_confidential', models.BooleanField(default=False)),
+                ('marked_required', models.BooleanField(default=False)),
             ],
         ),
         migrations.CreateModel(
diff --git a/core/notifications/models.py b/core/notifications/models.py
index caeab7a..9cbfbe5 100644
--- a/core/notifications/models.py
+++ b/core/notifications/models.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ class MessageTemplate(models.Model):
     message = models.TextField()
     created = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)
     marked_confidential = models.BooleanField(default=False)
+    marked_required = models.BooleanField(default=False)  # may not be deleted
 
     def __str__(self):
         return self.name