diff --git a/l10n_it_delivery_note/models/res_config_settings.py b/l10n_it_delivery_note/models/res_config_settings.py
index c9090e780f99..7e953ba0d368 100644
--- a/l10n_it_delivery_note/models/res_config_settings.py
+++ b/l10n_it_delivery_note/models/res_config_settings.py
@@ -17,6 +17,11 @@ def _default_virtual_locations_root(self):
         implied_group="l10n_it_delivery_note.use_advanced_delivery_notes",
     )
 
+    group_required_partner_ref = fields.Boolean(
+        string="Make Partner Ref. in DN Mandatory",
+        implied_group="l10n_it_delivery_note.group_required_partner_ref",
+    )
+
     virtual_locations_root = fields.Many2one(
         "stock.location",
         string="Virtual locations root",
diff --git a/l10n_it_delivery_note/models/stock_delivery_note.py b/l10n_it_delivery_note/models/stock_delivery_note.py
index 1659618de3b8..c8a2671ebc7c 100644
--- a/l10n_it_delivery_note/models/stock_delivery_note.py
+++ b/l10n_it_delivery_note/models/stock_delivery_note.py
@@ -551,6 +551,20 @@ def _action_confirm(self):
 
     def action_confirm(self):
         for note in self:
+            if (
+                note.type_code == "incoming"
+                and not note.partner_ref
+                and self.env.user.has_group(
+                    "l10n_it_delivery_note.group_required_partner_ref"
+                )
+            ):
+                raise UserError(
+                    _(
+                        "The field 'Partner reference' is "
+                        "mandatory to validate the Delivery Note."
+                    )
+                )
+
             warning_message = False
             carrier_ids = note.mapped("picking_ids.carrier_id")
             carrier_partner_ids = carrier_ids.mapped("partner_id")
diff --git a/l10n_it_delivery_note/security/res_groups.xml b/l10n_it_delivery_note/security/res_groups.xml
index bab6cedc0322..4e13eabd9067 100644
--- a/l10n_it_delivery_note/security/res_groups.xml
+++ b/l10n_it_delivery_note/security/res_groups.xml
@@ -10,6 +10,11 @@
         <field name="category_id" ref="base.module_category_hidden" />
     </record>
 
+    <record id="group_required_partner_ref" model="res.groups">
+        <field name="name">Make Partner Ref. in DN Required</field>
+        <field name="category_id" ref="base.module_category_hidden" />
+    </record>
+
     <record id="can_change_number" model="res.groups">
         <field name="name">Allow to change delivery note number</field>
         <field
diff --git a/l10n_it_delivery_note/tests/test_stock_delivery_note.py b/l10n_it_delivery_note/tests/test_stock_delivery_note.py
index e10b2ccd479e..5caa5ee19bad 100644
--- a/l10n_it_delivery_note/tests/test_stock_delivery_note.py
+++ b/l10n_it_delivery_note/tests/test_stock_delivery_note.py
@@ -184,3 +184,39 @@ def test_delivery_action_confirm(self):
             "different from the shipping method set in picking(s)",
             warning_context.get("default_warning_message"),
         )
+
+    def test_delivery_action_confirm_without_ref(self):
+        user = new_test_user(
+            self.env,
+            login="test",
+            groups="stock.group_stock_manager,"
+            "l10n_it_delivery_note.use_advanced_delivery_notes,"
+            "l10n_it_delivery_note.group_required_partner_ref",
+        )
+        # change user in order to activate DN advanced settings
+        self.env.user = user
+
+        picking = self.create_picking(
+            picking_type_id=self.env.ref("stock.picking_type_in").id,
+            carrier_id=self.env.ref("delivery.delivery_carrier").id,
+        )
+        picking.move_lines.quantity_done = 1
+        picking.button_validate()
+
+        dn_form = Form(
+            self.env["stock.delivery.note.create.wizard"].with_context(
+                {"active_id": picking.id, "active_ids": picking.ids}
+            )
+        )
+        dn = dn_form.save()
+        dn.confirm()
+
+        delivery_note_id = picking.delivery_note_id
+
+        with self.assertRaises(UserError) as exc:
+            delivery_note_id.action_confirm()
+        exc_message = exc.exception.args[0]
+        self.assertIn("The field 'Partner reference' is mandatory", exc_message)
+
+        delivery_note_id.partner_ref = "Reference #1234"
+        delivery_note_id.action_confirm()
diff --git a/l10n_it_delivery_note/views/res_config_settings.xml b/l10n_it_delivery_note/views/res_config_settings.xml
index 09f89de88b8b..ddbacee53f59 100644
--- a/l10n_it_delivery_note/views/res_config_settings.xml
+++ b/l10n_it_delivery_note/views/res_config_settings.xml
@@ -28,6 +28,20 @@
                             </div>
                         </div>
                     </div>
+                    <div class="col-12 col-lg-6 o_setting_box">
+                        <div class="o_setting_left_pane">
+                            <field name="group_required_partner_ref" />
+                        </div>
+                        <div class="o_setting_right_pane">
+                            <label for="group_required_partner_ref" />
+                            <div class="text-muted">
+                                <p>
+                                    Block the validation of incoming DNs if the
+                                    "Partner reference" field is not set.
+                                </p>
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
                     <div class="col-12 col-lg-6 o_setting_box">
                         <div class="o_setting_right_pane">
                             <label for="virtual_locations_root" />