diff --git a/frame/democracy/src/lib.rs b/frame/democracy/src/lib.rs
index 4e11c207657f0..443b8579116d0 100644
--- a/frame/democracy/src/lib.rs
+++ b/frame/democracy/src/lib.rs
@@ -600,6 +600,8 @@ pub mod pallet {
 		MaxVotesReached,
 		/// Maximum number of proposals reached.
 		TooManyProposals,
+		/// Voting period too low
+		VotingPeriodLow,
 	}
 
 	#[pallet::hooks]
@@ -800,8 +802,9 @@ pub mod pallet {
 		/// The dispatch of this call must be `FastTrackOrigin`.
 		///
 		/// - `proposal_hash`: The hash of the current external proposal.
-		/// - `voting_period`: The period that is allowed for voting on this proposal. Increased to
-		///   `FastTrackVotingPeriod` if too low.
+		/// - `voting_period`: The period that is allowed for voting on this proposal.
+		/// 	Must be always greater than zero.
+		/// 	For `FastTrackOrigin` must be equal or greater than `FastTrackVotingPeriod`.
 		/// - `delay`: The number of block after voting has ended in approval and this should be
 		///   enacted. This doesn't have a minimum amount.
 		///
@@ -830,7 +833,7 @@ pub mod pallet {
 				T::InstantOrigin::ensure_origin(ensure_instant)?;
 				ensure!(T::InstantAllowed::get(), Error::<T>::InstantNotAllowed);
 			}
-
+			ensure!(voting_period > T::BlockNumber::zero(), Error::<T>::VotingPeriodLow);
 			let (e_proposal_hash, threshold) =
 				<NextExternal<T>>::get().ok_or(Error::<T>::ProposalMissing)?;
 			ensure!(
diff --git a/frame/democracy/src/tests/fast_tracking.rs b/frame/democracy/src/tests/fast_tracking.rs
index 7a15bb8de4dac..caf83c6d46120 100644
--- a/frame/democracy/src/tests/fast_tracking.rs
+++ b/frame/democracy/src/tests/fast_tracking.rs
@@ -67,6 +67,10 @@ fn instant_referendum_works() {
 			Error::<Test>::InstantNotAllowed
 		);
 		INSTANT_ALLOWED.with(|v| *v.borrow_mut() = true);
+		assert_noop!(
+			Democracy::fast_track(Origin::signed(6), h, 0, 0),
+			Error::<Test>::VotingPeriodLow
+		);
 		assert_ok!(Democracy::fast_track(Origin::signed(6), h, 1, 0));
 		assert_eq!(
 			Democracy::referendum_status(0),
@@ -81,6 +85,60 @@ fn instant_referendum_works() {
 	});
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn instant_next_block_referendum_backed() {
+	new_test_ext().execute_with(|| {
+		// arrange
+		let start_block_number = 10;
+		let majority_origin_id = 3;
+		let instant_origin_id = 6;
+		let voting_period = 1;
+		let proposal_hash = set_balance_proposal_hash_and_note(2);
+		let delay = 2; // has no effect on test
+
+		// init
+		System::set_block_number(start_block_number);
+		InstantAllowed::set(true);
+
+		// propose with majority origin
+		assert_ok!(Democracy::external_propose_majority(
+			Origin::signed(majority_origin_id),
+			proposal_hash
+		));
+
+		// fast track with instant origin and voting period pointing to the next block
+		assert_ok!(Democracy::fast_track(
+			Origin::signed(instant_origin_id),
+			proposal_hash,
+			voting_period,
+			delay
+		));
+
+		// fetch the status of the only referendum at index 0
+		assert_eq!(
+			Democracy::referendum_status(0),
+			Ok(ReferendumStatus {
+				end: start_block_number + voting_period,
+				proposal_hash,
+				threshold: VoteThreshold::SimpleMajority,
+				delay,
+				tally: Tally { ayes: 0, nays: 0, turnout: 0 },
+			})
+		);
+
+		// referendum expected to be baked with the start of the next block
+		next_block();
+
+		// assert no active referendums
+		assert_noop!(Democracy::referendum_status(0), Error::<Test>::ReferendumInvalid);
+		// the only referendum in the storage is finished and not approved
+		assert_eq!(
+			ReferendumInfoOf::<Test>::get(0).unwrap(),
+			ReferendumInfo::Finished { approved: false, end: start_block_number + voting_period }
+		);
+	});
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn fast_track_referendum_fails_when_no_simple_majority() {
 	new_test_ext().execute_with(|| {