diff --git a/src/Listeners/LockListener.php b/src/Listeners/LockListener.php
index 86ef777..0ee8b23 100755
--- a/src/Listeners/LockListener.php
+++ b/src/Listeners/LockListener.php
@@ -2,10 +2,12 @@
 
 namespace Tv2regionerne\StatamicLocks\Listeners;
 
+use Illuminate\Support\Carbon;
 use Illuminate\Validation\ValidationException;
 use Statamic\Events;
 use Statamic\Facades\Site;
 use Statamic\Facades\User;
+use Statamic\Support\Str;
 use Tv2regionerne\StatamicLocks\Models\LockModel;
 
 class LockListener
@@ -15,6 +17,13 @@ public function handle($event)
         $itemId = false;
         $itemType = false;
 
+        $path = request()->path();
+
+        // ignore locks on API requests
+        if (Str::of($path)->startsWith('api')) {
+            return;
+        }
+
         if ($event instanceof Events\AssetSaving) {
             $itemId = $event->asset->id() ?? false;
             $itemType = 'asset';
@@ -38,9 +47,11 @@ public function handle($event)
 
         if ($lock = LockModel::where(['item_id' => $itemId, 'item_type' => $itemType, 'site' => Site::current()->handle()])->first()) {
             if (! $lock->user() || ! $user || $lock->user()->id() != $user->id()) {
-                throw ValidationException::withMessages([
-                    'locked' => __('This item is locked'),
-                ]);
+                if ($lock->updated_at > Carbon::now()->subMinutes(config('statamic-locks.clear_locks_after', 5))) {
+                    throw ValidationException::withMessages([
+                        'locked' => __('This item is locked'),
+                    ]);
+                }
             }
         }
     }