diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/models.py b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/models.py
index 2d5d5dd8ca..e3da4537fd 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/models.py
@@ -647,6 +647,9 @@ class SoftwareSecurePhotoVerification(PhotoVerification):
         # verification functionality. If you do want to work on it, you have to
         # explicitly enable these in your private settings.
         if settings.FEATURES.get('AUTOMATIC_VERIFY_STUDENT_IDENTITY_FOR_TESTING'):
+            # fake photo id key is set only for initial verification
+            self.photo_id_key = 'fake-photo-id-key'
+            self.save()
             return
 
         aes_key = random_aes_key()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_models.py b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_models.py
index 78fd9a1af1..f55d0256cc 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_models.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 from datetime import timedelta, datetime
 import ddt
 import json
+import mock
 import requests.exceptions
 import pytz
 
@@ -236,6 +237,22 @@ class TestPhotoVerification(ModuleStoreTestCase):
             attempt = self.create_and_submit()
             assert_equals(attempt.status, "must_retry")
 
+    @mock.patch.dict(settings.FEATURES, {'AUTOMATIC_VERIFY_STUDENT_IDENTITY_FOR_TESTING': True})
+    def test_submission_while_testing_flag_is_true(self):
+        """ Test that a fake value is set for field 'photo_id_key' of user's
+        initial verification when the feature flag 'AUTOMATIC_VERIFY_STUDENT_IDENTITY_FOR_TESTING'
+        is enabled.
+        """
+        user = UserFactory.create()
+        attempt = SoftwareSecurePhotoVerification(user=user)
+        user.profile.name = "test-user"
+
+        attempt.upload_photo_id_image("Image data")
+        attempt.mark_ready()
+        attempt.submit()
+
+        self.assertEqual(attempt.photo_id_key, "fake-photo-id-key")
+
     def test_active_for_user(self):
         """
         Make sure we can retrive a user's active (in progress) verification