diff --git a/core/tasks.py b/core/tasks.py
index 5b3d6ccb..f0cee4ec 100644
--- a/core/tasks.py
+++ b/core/tasks.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 from celery.task import task
 
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
+from django.conf import settings
 
 from regluit.core import bookloader, models
 from regluit.core import goodreads, librarything
@@ -60,8 +61,15 @@ def fac(n, sleep_interval=None):
 @task
 def send_mail_task(subject, message, from_email, recipient_list,
             fail_silently=False, auth_user=None, auth_password=None,
-            connection=None):
-    """a task to drop django.core.mail.send_mail into """   
+            connection=None, override_from_email=True):
+    """a task to drop django.core.mail.send_mail into """
+    # NOTE:  since we are currently using Amazon SES, which allows email to be sent only from validated email
+    # addresses, we force from_email to be one of the validated address unless override_from_email is FALSE
+    if override_from_email:
+        try:
+            from_email = settings.DEFAULT_FROM_EMAIL
+        except:
+            pass
     return send_mail(subject, message, from_email, recipient_list, fail_silently=False, auth_user=auth_user,
                      auth_password=auth_password, connection=connection)