diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/progress.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/progress.py
index af47f50fd7..7adbb02646 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/progress.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/progress.py
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ class Progress(object):
         if a > b:
             a = b
 
+        if a < 0:
+            a = 0
+
         if b <= 0:
             raise ValueError('fraction a/b = {0}/{1} must have b > 0'.format(a, b))