diff --git a/includes/bp-components/classes/class-bp-rest-components-endpoint.php b/includes/bp-components/classes/class-bp-rest-components-endpoint.php
index 713cd6dd..03416922 100644
--- a/includes/bp-components/classes/class-bp-rest-components-endpoint.php
+++ b/includes/bp-components/classes/class-bp-rest-components-endpoint.php
@@ -271,7 +271,18 @@ public function update_item( $request ) {
 	 * @return true|WP_Error
 	 */
 	public function update_item_permissions_check( $request ) {
-		$retval = $this->get_items_permissions_check( $request );
+		$retval = new WP_Error(
+			'bp_rest_authorization_required',
+			__( 'Sorry, you are not allowed to perform this action.', 'buddypress' ),
+			array(
+				'status' => rest_authorization_required_code(),
+			)
+		);
+
+		// Unlike `get_items`, toggling a component is an admin-only operation.
+		if ( bp_current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) {
+			$retval = true;
+		}
 
 		/**
 		 * Filter the components `update_item` permissions check.
diff --git a/tests/testcases/components/test-controller.php b/tests/testcases/components/test-controller.php
index 92c467d9..1e2e7774 100644
--- a/tests/testcases/components/test-controller.php
+++ b/tests/testcases/components/test-controller.php
@@ -347,6 +347,34 @@ public function test_update_item_without_permission() {
 		$this->assertErrorResponse( 'bp_rest_authorization_required', $response, 403 );
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * @group update_item
+	 */
+	public function test_update_item_site_admin_only() {
+		$u = static::factory()->user->create(
+			array(
+				'role' => 'author',
+			)
+		);
+
+		$this->bp::set_current_user( $u );
+
+		// Snapshot so we can prove no component was toggled.
+		$before = bp_get_option( 'bp-active-components' );
+
+		$request = new WP_REST_Request( 'PUT', $this->endpoint_url );
+		$request->set_query_params( array(
+			'name'   => 'friends',
+			'action' => 'deactivate',
+		) );
+		$response = $this->server->dispatch( $request );
+
+		$this->assertErrorResponse( 'bp_rest_authorization_required', $response, 403 );
+
+		// The component toggle must not have executed.
+		$this->assertSame( $before, bp_get_option( 'bp-active-components' ) );
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * @group delete_item
 	 */