diff --git a/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_form_state/rule_form_state_reducer.ts b/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_form_state/rule_form_state_reducer.ts
index d79ae00988875..2419a1b7f44ac 100644
--- a/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_form_state/rule_form_state_reducer.ts
+++ b/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_form_state/rule_form_state_reducer.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
  */
 
 import { RuleActionParams } from '@kbn/alerting-types';
-import { isEmpty, omit } from 'lodash';
+import { isEmpty, omit, isEqual } from 'lodash';
 import { RuleFormActionsErrors, RuleFormParamsErrors, RuleUiAction } from '../../common';
 import { RuleFormData, RuleFormState } from '../types';
 import { validateRuleBase, validateRuleParams } from '../validation';
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ const getUpdateWithValidation =
       selectedRuleTypeModel,
       multiConsumerSelection,
       selectedRuleType,
+      formData: originalFormData,
     } = ruleFormState;
 
     const formData = updater();
@@ -149,12 +150,14 @@ const getUpdateWithValidation =
       }
     }
 
+    const touched = !isEqual(originalFormData, formData);
+
     return {
       ...ruleFormState,
       formData,
       baseErrors,
       paramsErrors,
-      touched: true,
+      touched,
     };
   };
 
diff --git a/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_page/rule_page.test.tsx b/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_page/rule_page.test.tsx
index ac07c580fbd49..9523dad2a8a6f 100644
--- a/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_page/rule_page.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_page/rule_page.test.tsx
@@ -125,4 +125,62 @@ describe('rulePage', () => {
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('rulePageReturnButton'));
     expect(onCancel).toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
+
+  test('should display discard changes modal only if changes are made in the form', () => {
+    useRuleFormState.mockReturnValue({
+      plugins: {
+        application: {
+          navigateToUrl,
+          capabilities: {
+            actions: {
+              show: true,
+              save: true,
+              execute: true,
+            },
+          },
+        },
+      },
+      baseErrors: {},
+      paramsErrors: {},
+      touched: true,
+      formData: formDataMock,
+      connectors: [],
+      connectorTypes: [],
+      aadTemplateFields: [],
+    });
+
+    render(<RulePage onCancel={onCancel} onSave={onSave} />);
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('rulePageFooterCancelButton'));
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('ruleFormCancelModal')).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  test('should not display discard changes modal id no changes are made in the form', () => {
+    useRuleFormState.mockReturnValue({
+      plugins: {
+        application: {
+          navigateToUrl,
+          capabilities: {
+            actions: {
+              show: true,
+              save: true,
+              execute: true,
+            },
+          },
+        },
+      },
+      baseErrors: {},
+      paramsErrors: {},
+      touched: false,
+      formData: formDataMock,
+      connectors: [],
+      connectorTypes: [],
+      aadTemplateFields: [],
+    });
+
+    render(<RulePage onCancel={onCancel} onSave={onSave} />);
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('rulePageFooterCancelButton'));
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('ruleFormCancelModal')).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
 });
diff --git a/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_page/rule_page.tsx b/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_page/rule_page.tsx
index 68ff6d5db6b19..bdb2838bc9963 100644
--- a/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_page/rule_page.tsx
+++ b/packages/kbn-alerts-ui-shared/src/rule_form/rule_page/rule_page.tsx
@@ -217,6 +217,7 @@ export const RulePage = (props: RulePageProps) => {
         <EuiConfirmModal
           onCancel={() => setIsCancelModalOpen(false)}
           onConfirm={onCancel}
+          data-test-subj="ruleFormCancelModal"
           buttonColor="danger"
           defaultFocusedButton="confirm"
           title={RULE_FORM_CANCEL_MODAL_TITLE}