diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/checklist.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/checklist.py
index d4bc570728..97cb79bd68 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/checklist.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/checklist.py
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def localize_checklist_text(checklist):
     # Localize checklist items
     for item in checklist.get('items'):
         item['short_description'] = ugettext(item['short_description'])
-        item['long_description'] = ugettext(item['long_description']) if item['long_description'] != '' else u''
-        item['action_text'] = ugettext(item['action_text']) if item['action_text'] != "" else u""
+        item['long_description'] = ugettext(item['long_description'])
+        item['action_text'] = ugettext(item['action_text'])
 
     return checklist