diff --git a/lms/templates/signup_modal.html b/lms/templates/signup_modal.html
index 4ef58ceae5..c954c16b2c 100644
--- a/lms/templates/signup_modal.html
+++ b/lms/templates/signup_modal.html
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@
             <label>Gender</label>
             <div class="input-wrapper">
               <select name="gender">
+                  <option value="">--</option>
                   %for code, gender in UserProfile.GENDER_CHOICES:
                       <option value="${code}">${gender}</option>
                   %endfor