diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/checklist.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/checklist.py
index 71c593f8ee..1b12e93aa3 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/checklist.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/checklist.py
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ 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'])
+        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""
 
     return checklist