diff --git a/lib/gitlab/i18n/po_linter.rb b/lib/gitlab/i18n/po_linter.rb
index ab79d4188dc..ba08ef59776 100644
--- a/lib/gitlab/i18n/po_linter.rb
+++ b/lib/gitlab/i18n/po_linter.rb
@@ -109,10 +109,14 @@ module Gitlab
 
       def validate_variables(errors, entry)
         if entry.has_singular_translation?
+          validate_variables_in_message(errors, entry.msgid, entry.msgid)
+
           validate_variables_in_message(errors, entry.msgid, entry.singular_translation)
         end
 
         if entry.has_plural?
+          validate_variables_in_message(errors, entry.plural_id, entry.plural_id)
+
           entry.plural_translations.each do |translation|
             validate_variables_in_message(errors, entry.plural_id, translation)
           end
diff --git a/spec/lib/gitlab/i18n/po_linter_spec.rb b/spec/lib/gitlab/i18n/po_linter_spec.rb
index 9bbd51fe212..045916e6dc2 100644
--- a/spec/lib/gitlab/i18n/po_linter_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lib/gitlab/i18n/po_linter_spec.rb
@@ -220,6 +220,10 @@ describe Gitlab::I18n::PoLinter do
   end
 
   describe '#validate_variables' do
+    before do
+      allow(linter).to receive(:validate_variables_in_message).and_call_original
+    end
+
     it 'validates both singular and plural in a pluralized string when the entry has a singular' do
       pluralized_entry = fake_translation(
         id: 'Hello %{world}',
@@ -259,6 +263,24 @@ describe Gitlab::I18n::PoLinter do
 
       linter.validate_variables([], entry)
     end
+
+    it 'validates variable usage in message ids' do
+      entry = fake_translation(
+        id: 'Hello %{world}',
+        translation: 'Bonjour %{world}',
+        plural_id: 'Hello all %{world}',
+        plurals: ['Bonjour tous %{world}']
+      )
+
+      expect(linter).to receive(:validate_variables_in_message)
+                          .with([], 'Hello %{world}', 'Hello %{world}')
+                          .and_call_original
+      expect(linter).to receive(:validate_variables_in_message)
+                          .with([], 'Hello all %{world}', 'Hello all %{world}')
+                          .and_call_original
+
+      linter.validate_variables([], entry)
+    end
   end
 
   describe '#validate_variables_in_message' do