diff --git a/src/main/java/net/kemitix/node/NodeItem.java b/src/main/java/net/kemitix/node/NodeItem.java
index e4d605a..3c11887 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/kemitix/node/NodeItem.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/kemitix/node/NodeItem.java
@@ -143,7 +143,13 @@ class NodeItem<T> implements Node<T> {
     @Override
     public void addChild(@NonNull final Node<T> child) {
         verifyChildIsNotAnAncestor(child);
-        verifyChildWithSameNameDoesNotAlreadyExist(child);
+        //verifyChildWithSameNameDoesNotAlreadyExist
+        if (child.isNamed()) {
+            findChildByName(child.getName()).filter(existingChild -> existingChild != child)
+                                            .ifPresent(existingChild -> {
+                                                throw new NodeException("Node with that name already exists here");
+                                            });
+        }
         children.add(child);
         // update the child's parent if they don't have one or it is not this
         val childParent = child.getParent();
@@ -153,17 +159,6 @@ class NodeItem<T> implements Node<T> {
         }
     }
 
-    private void verifyChildWithSameNameDoesNotAlreadyExist(
-            final @NonNull Node<T> child
-                                                           ) {
-        if (child.isNamed()) {
-            findChildByName(child.getName()).filter(existingChild -> existingChild != child)
-                                            .ifPresent(existingChild -> {
-                                                throw new NodeException("Node with that name already exists here");
-                                            });
-        }
-    }
-
     private void verifyChildIsNotAnAncestor(final @NonNull Node<T> child) {
         if (this.equals(child) || isDescendantOf(child)) {
             throw new NodeException("Child is an ancestor");