diff --git a/invenio_record_importer_kcworks/services/communities.py b/invenio_record_importer_kcworks/services/communities.py
index 4012c31..c3b49bf 100644
--- a/invenio_record_importer_kcworks/services/communities.py
+++ b/invenio_record_importer_kcworks/services/communities.py
@@ -548,7 +548,10 @@ def add_record_to_group_collections(
                     try:
                         assert len(coll_records) == 1
                     except AssertionError as e:
-                        if len(coll_records) > 1:
+                        if (
+                            len(coll_records) > 1
+                            and not metadata_record["is_published"]
+                        ):
                             raise MultipleActiveCollectionsError(
                                 f"    multiple active collections found "
                                 f"for {group_id}"