diff --git a/pkg/api/handlers/compat/networks.go b/pkg/api/handlers/compat/networks.go
index 704af4b0e4..bb9cda8875 100644
--- a/pkg/api/handlers/compat/networks.go
+++ b/pkg/api/handlers/compat/networks.go
@@ -277,10 +277,17 @@ func CreateNetwork(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		// FIXME can we use the IPAM driver and options?
 	}
 
+	opts := nettypes.NetworkCreateOptions{
+		IgnoreIfExists: !networkCreate.CheckDuplicate,
+	}
 	ic := abi.ContainerEngine{Libpod: runtime}
-	newNetwork, err := ic.NetworkCreate(r.Context(), network, nil)
+	newNetwork, err := ic.NetworkCreate(r.Context(), network, &opts)
 	if err != nil {
-		utils.InternalServerError(w, err)
+		if errors.Is(err, nettypes.ErrNetworkExists) {
+			utils.Error(w, http.StatusConflict, err)
+		} else {
+			utils.InternalServerError(w, err)
+		}
 		return
 	}
 
diff --git a/test/apiv2/35-networks.at b/test/apiv2/35-networks.at
index 07ba45efb2..dfa5b583b7 100644
--- a/test/apiv2/35-networks.at
+++ b/test/apiv2/35-networks.at
@@ -104,6 +104,9 @@ t GET networks/podman 200 \
 
 # network create docker
 t POST networks/create Name=net3\ IPAM='{"Config":[]}' 201
+# create with same name should not error unless CheckDuplicate is set
+t POST networks/create Name=net3 201
+t POST networks/create Name=net3\ CheckDuplicate=true 409
 # network delete docker
 t DELETE networks/net3 204