diff --git a/htdocs/core/lib/functions2.lib.php b/htdocs/core/lib/functions2.lib.php
index cd99afaf373..826008036db 100644
--- a/htdocs/core/lib/functions2.lib.php
+++ b/htdocs/core/lib/functions2.lib.php
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ function get_next_value($db,$mask,$table,$field,$where='',$objsoc='',$date='',$m
     $maskraz=-1;
     $maskoffset=0;
     $resetEveryMonth=false;
-    if (dol_strlen($maskcounter) < 3) return 'CounterMustHaveMoreThan3Digits';
+    if (dol_strlen($maskcounter) < 3 && empty($conf->global->MAIN_COUNTER_WITH_LESS_3_DIGITS)) return 'CounterMustHaveMoreThan3Digits';
 
     // Extract value for third party mask counter
     if (preg_match('/\{(c+)(0*)\}/i',$mask,$regClientRef))