diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/conditional_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/conditional_module.py
index 4dca5aa91a..361cd21745 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/conditional_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/conditional_module.py
@@ -49,8 +49,6 @@ class ConditionalModule(XModule):
     js_module_name = "Conditional"
     css = {'scss': [resource_string(__name__, 'css/capa/display.scss')]}
 
-    contents = String(scope=Scope.content)
-
     # Map
     # key: <tag attribute in xml>
     # value: <name of module attribute>
@@ -61,6 +59,10 @@ class ConditionalModule(XModule):
         'voted': 'voted'  # poll_question attr
     }
 
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        XModule.__init__(self, *args, **kwargs)
+        self.contents = None
+
     def _get_condition(self):
         # Get first valid condition.
         for xml_attr, attr_name in self.conditions_map.iteritems():