diff --git a/assets/controllers/elements/structural_entity_select_controller.js b/assets/controllers/elements/structural_entity_select_controller.js
index 6d436676..a1114a97 100644
--- a/assets/controllers/elements/structural_entity_select_controller.js
+++ b/assets/controllers/elements/structural_entity_select_controller.js
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ export default class extends Controller {
             selectOnTab: true,
             maxOptions: null,
             create: allowAdd ? this.createItem.bind(this) : false,
+            createFilter: this.createFilter.bind(this),
 
             // This three options allow us to paste element names with commas: (see issue #538)
             maxItems: 1,
@@ -128,6 +129,31 @@ export default class extends Controller {
         });
     }
 
+    createFilter(input) {
+
+        //Normalize the input (replace spacing around arrows)
+        if (input.includes("->")) {
+            const inputs = input.split("->");
+            inputs.forEach((value, index) => {
+                inputs[index] = value.trim();
+            });
+            input = inputs.join("->");
+        } else {
+            input = input.trim();
+        }
+
+        const options = this._tomSelect.options;
+        //Iterate over all options and check if the input is already present
+        for (let index in options) {
+            const option = options[index];
+            if (option.path === input) {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return true;
+    }
+
 
     updateValidity() {
         //Mark this input as invalid, if the selected option is disabled