diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/security_solution/server/lib/detection_engine/rule_management/logic/detection_rules_client/mergers/apply_rule_patch.test.ts b/x-pack/plugins/security_solution/server/lib/detection_engine/rule_management/logic/detection_rules_client/mergers/apply_rule_patch.test.ts
index 49592aff28f95..abf90c3f4dfc4 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/security_solution/server/lib/detection_engine/rule_management/logic/detection_rules_client/mergers/apply_rule_patch.test.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/security_solution/server/lib/detection_engine/rule_management/logic/detection_rules_client/mergers/apply_rule_patch.test.ts
@@ -453,4 +453,36 @@ describe('applyRulePatch', () => {
       })
     ).rejects.toThrowError('new_terms_fields: Expected array, received string');
   });
+
+  test('should retain existing required_fields when not present in rule patch body', async () => {
+    const rulePatch = {
+      name: 'new name',
+    } as PatchRuleRequestBody;
+    const existingRule = {
+      ...getRulesSchemaMock(),
+      required_fields: [
+        {
+          name: 'event.action',
+          type: 'keyword',
+          ecs: true,
+        },
+      ],
+    };
+    const patchedRule = await applyRulePatch({
+      rulePatch,
+      existingRule,
+      prebuiltRuleAssetClient,
+    });
+    expect(patchedRule).toEqual(
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        required_fields: [
+          {
+            name: 'event.action',
+            type: 'keyword',
+            ecs: true,
+          },
+        ],
+      })
+    );
+  });
 });
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/security_solution/server/lib/detection_engine/rule_management/logic/detection_rules_client/mergers/apply_rule_patch.ts b/x-pack/plugins/security_solution/server/lib/detection_engine/rule_management/logic/detection_rules_client/mergers/apply_rule_patch.ts
index becc68f3d0075..9f5b167322491 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/security_solution/server/lib/detection_engine/rule_management/logic/detection_rules_client/mergers/apply_rule_patch.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/security_solution/server/lib/detection_engine/rule_management/logic/detection_rules_client/mergers/apply_rule_patch.ts
@@ -92,7 +92,9 @@ export const applyRulePatch = async ({
     meta: rulePatch.meta ?? existingRule.meta,
     max_signals: rulePatch.max_signals ?? existingRule.max_signals,
     related_integrations: rulePatch.related_integrations ?? existingRule.related_integrations,
-    required_fields: addEcsToRequiredFields(rulePatch.required_fields),
+    required_fields: rulePatch.required_fields
+      ? addEcsToRequiredFields(rulePatch.required_fields)
+      : existingRule.required_fields,
     risk_score: rulePatch.risk_score ?? existingRule.risk_score,
     risk_score_mapping: rulePatch.risk_score_mapping ?? existingRule.risk_score_mapping,
     rule_name_override: rulePatch.rule_name_override ?? existingRule.rule_name_override,
diff --git a/x-pack/test/security_solution_api_integration/test_suites/detections_response/rules_management/rule_patch/basic_license_essentials_tier/patch_rules.ts b/x-pack/test/security_solution_api_integration/test_suites/detections_response/rules_management/rule_patch/basic_license_essentials_tier/patch_rules.ts
index be8e76f058b14..86dde0735424e 100644
--- a/x-pack/test/security_solution_api_integration/test_suites/detections_response/rules_management/rule_patch/basic_license_essentials_tier/patch_rules.ts
+++ b/x-pack/test/security_solution_api_integration/test_suites/detections_response/rules_management/rule_patch/basic_license_essentials_tier/patch_rules.ts
@@ -285,6 +285,33 @@ export default ({ getService }: FtrProviderContext) => {
           );
         });
       });
+
+      it('should not change required_fields when not present in patch body', async () => {
+        await securitySolutionApi.createRule({
+          body: getCustomQueryRuleParams({
+            rule_id: 'rule-1',
+            required_fields: [
+              {
+                name: 'event.action',
+                type: 'keyword',
+              },
+            ],
+          }),
+        });
+
+        // patch a simple rule's name
+        const { body: patchedRule } = await securitySolutionApi
+          .patchRule({ body: { rule_id: 'rule-1', name: 'some other name' } })
+          .expect(200);
+
+        expect(patchedRule.required_fields).toEqual([
+          {
+            name: 'event.action',
+            type: 'keyword',
+            ecs: true,
+          },
+        ]);
+      });
     });
   });
 };