diff --git a/src/components/DataEntry/DataEntryTable/RecentEntry.tsx b/src/components/DataEntry/DataEntryTable/RecentEntry.tsx
index b6f0e68aa5..31ff99e20b 100644
--- a/src/components/DataEntry/DataEntryTable/RecentEntry.tsx
+++ b/src/components/DataEntry/DataEntryTable/RecentEntry.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { Grid2 } from "@mui/material";
 import { ReactElement, memo, useState } from "react";
 
-import { Pronunciation, Word, WritingSystem } from "api/models";
+import { Pronunciation, Status, Word, WritingSystem } from "api/models";
 import NoteButton from "components/Buttons/NoteButton";
 import {
   DeleteEntry,
@@ -90,7 +90,12 @@ export function RecentEntry(props: RecentEntryProps): ReactElement {
       <Grid2 size={4} sx={{ px: 1 }}>
         <VernWithSuggestions
           vernacular={vernacular}
-          isDisabled={props.disabled || props.entry.senses.length > 1}
+          isDisabled={
+            props.disabled ||
+            props.entry.senses.length > 1 ||
+            props.entry.accessibility === Status.Protected ||
+            sense.accessibility === Status.Protected
+          }
           updateVernField={updateVernField}
           onBlur={() => conditionallyUpdateVern()}
           handleEnter={() => {
diff --git a/src/components/DataEntry/DataEntryTable/tests/RecentEntry.test.tsx b/src/components/DataEntry/DataEntryTable/tests/RecentEntry.test.tsx
index 81e77d24e2..9318d91554 100644
--- a/src/components/DataEntry/DataEntryTable/tests/RecentEntry.test.tsx
+++ b/src/components/DataEntry/DataEntryTable/tests/RecentEntry.test.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import userEvent, { UserEvent } from "@testing-library/user-event";
 import { Provider } from "react-redux";
 import configureMockStore from "redux-mock-store";
 
-import { Word } from "api/models";
+import { Status, Word } from "api/models";
 import RecentEntry, {
   RecentEntryIdPrefix,
 } from "components/DataEntry/DataEntryTable/RecentEntry";
@@ -132,6 +132,26 @@ describe("ExistingEntry", () => {
       await agent.click(glossField);
       expect(mockUpdateVern).toHaveBeenCalledWith(0, mockText);
     });
+
+    it("disables vernacular if word is protected", async () => {
+      const protectedWord: Word = {
+        ...mockWord,
+        accessibility: Status.Protected,
+      };
+      await renderWithWord(protectedWord);
+      const { vernField } = getVernAndGlossFields();
+      expect(vernField).toBeDisabled();
+    });
+
+    it("disables vernacular if sense is protected", async () => {
+      const protectedSenseWord: Word = {
+        ...mockWord,
+        senses: [{ ...mockWord.senses[0], accessibility: Status.Protected }],
+      };
+      await renderWithWord(protectedSenseWord);
+      const { vernField } = getVernAndGlossFields();
+      expect(vernField).toBeDisabled();
+    });
   });
 
   describe("gloss", () => {