diff --git a/cmd/welcome/main.go b/cmd/welcome/main.go
index 2bf426d..bb4d008 100644
--- a/cmd/welcome/main.go
+++ b/cmd/welcome/main.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	"git.tilde.town/tildetown/town/invites"
+	"git.tilde.town/tildetown/town/stats"
 	"github.com/AlecAivazis/survey/v2"
 	"github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss"
 
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ func promptCode() (code string, err error) {
 	return
 }
 
-func promptUsername() (un string, err error) {
+func promptUsername(townData stats.TildeData) (un string, err error) {
 	unPrompt := &survey.Input{
 		Message: "desired username?",
 	}
@@ -50,9 +51,11 @@ func promptUsername() (un string, err error) {
 		survey.WithIcons(surveyIconSet),
 		survey.WithValidator(func(val interface{}) error {
 			un := val.(string)
-			// TODO check for exising username
-			fmt.Println(un)
-
+			for _, v := range townData.Users {
+				if v.Username == un {
+					return errors.New("that username is already in use, sorry")
+				}
+			}
 			return nil
 		}))
 
@@ -60,6 +63,11 @@ func promptUsername() (un string, err error) {
 }
 
 func _main() error {
+	townData, err := stats.Stats()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	inviteDB, err := invites.ConnectDB()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -94,7 +102,7 @@ func _main() error {
 
 	fmt.Println(s)
 
-	data.Username, err = promptUsername()
+	data.Username, err = promptUsername(townData)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}