diff --git a/plexapi/collection.py b/plexapi/collection.py
index 809455eae..5f591a4ae 100644
--- a/plexapi/collection.py
+++ b/plexapi/collection.py
@@ -503,6 +503,8 @@ def create(cls, server, title, section, items=None, smart=False, limit=None,
                 :class:`~plexapi.collection.Collection`: A new instance of the created Collection.
         """
         if smart:
+            if items:
+                raise BadRequest('Cannot create a smart collection with items.')
             return cls._createSmart(server, title, section, limit, libtype, sort, filters, **kwargs)
         else:
             return cls._create(server, title, section, items)
diff --git a/plexapi/playlist.py b/plexapi/playlist.py
index 14ef88edb..a50b62005 100644
--- a/plexapi/playlist.py
+++ b/plexapi/playlist.py
@@ -434,6 +434,8 @@ def create(cls, server, title, section=None, items=None, smart=False, limit=None
         if m3ufilepath:
             return cls._createFromM3U(server, title, section, m3ufilepath)
         elif smart:
+            if items:
+                raise BadRequest('Cannot create a smart playlist with items.')
             return cls._createSmart(server, title, section, limit, libtype, sort, filters, **kwargs)
         else:
             return cls._create(server, title, items)