diff --git a/src/NzbDrone.Core/Indexers/IndexerBase.cs b/src/NzbDrone.Core/Indexers/IndexerBase.cs
index 5a3b36bbe..2f545e0cd 100644
--- a/src/NzbDrone.Core/Indexers/IndexerBase.cs
+++ b/src/NzbDrone.Core/Indexers/IndexerBase.cs
@@ -208,6 +208,12 @@ public ValidationResult Test()
 
             try
             {
+                // Ensure Redirect is true for Usenet protocols
+                if (Protocol == DownloadProtocol.Usenet || (SupportsRedirect && Redirect))
+                {
+                    failures.Add(new ValidationFailure("Redirect", "Redirect must be enabled for Usenet indexers"));
+                }
+
                 Test(failures).GetAwaiter().GetResult();
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
diff --git a/src/Prowlarr.Api.V1/Indexers/NewznabController.cs b/src/Prowlarr.Api.V1/Indexers/NewznabController.cs
index 6feaa115d..cde49b789 100644
--- a/src/Prowlarr.Api.V1/Indexers/NewznabController.cs
+++ b/src/Prowlarr.Api.V1/Indexers/NewznabController.cs
@@ -262,8 +262,8 @@ public async Task<object> GetDownload(int id, string link, string file)
                 throw new BadRequestException("Failed to normalize provided link");
             }
 
-            // If Indexer is set to download via Redirect then just redirect to the link
-            if (indexer.SupportsRedirect && indexerDef.Redirect)
+            // If Indexer is set to download via Redirect then just redirect to the link unless it's a Usenet indexer at which point it forces Redirect.
+            if (indexer.Protocol == DownloadProtocol.Usenet || (indexer.SupportsRedirect && indexerDef.Redirect))
             {
                 _downloadService.RecordRedirect(unprotectedLink, id, source, host, file);
                 return RedirectPermanent(unprotectedLink);