diff --git a/store/neurostore/resources/utils.py b/store/neurostore/resources/utils.py
index 08974e35..2733a531 100644
--- a/store/neurostore/resources/utils.py
+++ b/store/neurostore/resources/utils.py
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ def validate_search_query(query: str) -> bool:
     if not validate_query_end(query):
         raise errors.SyntaxError("Query cannot end with an operator")
 
+    if not validate_multiple_operators(query):
+        raise errors.SyntaxError("Consecutive operators are not allowed")
+
     return True
 
 
@@ -98,6 +101,16 @@ def validate_query_end(query: str) -> bool:
     return True
 
 
+def validate_multiple_operators(query: str) -> bool:
+    """Validate that there are no consecutive operators in a query."""
+    operators = ("AND", "OR", "NOT", "&", "|", "&!")
+    query = query.strip().split(" ")
+    for i in range(len(query) - 1):
+        if query[i] in operators and query[i + 1] in operators:
+            return False
+    return True
+
+
 def count_chars(target, query: str) -> int:
     """Count the number of chars in a query string.
     Excluding those in quoted phrases."""
diff --git a/store/neurostore/tests/conftest.py b/store/neurostore/tests/conftest.py
index 1189e214..b2762793 100644
--- a/store/neurostore/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/store/neurostore/tests/conftest.py
@@ -602,6 +602,9 @@ def simple_neurosynth_annotation(session, ingest_neurosynth):
         'OR ("ASD")) AND (("decision*" OR "Dec',
         "Unmatched parentheses",
     ),
+    (
+        'smoking AND NOT memory', "Consecutive operators are not allowed"
+    )
 ]
 
 valid_queries = [