diff --git a/common/djangoapps/course_modes/migrations/0007_coursemode_bulk_sku.py b/common/djangoapps/course_modes/migrations/0007_coursemode_bulk_sku.py
index dbb086f331..bdbbac49f2 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/course_modes/migrations/0007_coursemode_bulk_sku.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/course_modes/migrations/0007_coursemode_bulk_sku.py
@@ -14,6 +14,6 @@ class Migration(migrations.Migration):
         migrations.AddField(
             model_name='coursemode',
             name='bulk_sku',
-            field=models.CharField(help_text='This is the bulk SKU (stock keeping unit) of this mode in the external ecommerce service.', max_length=255, null=True, verbose_name=b'Bulk SKU', blank=True),
+            field=models.CharField(default=None, max_length=255, blank=True, help_text='This is the bulk SKU (stock keeping unit) of this mode in the external ecommerce service.', null=True, verbose_name=b'Bulk SKU'),
         ),
     ]
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/course_modes/models.py b/common/djangoapps/course_modes/models.py
index f90079c093..162d800291 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/course_modes/models.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/course_modes/models.py
@@ -102,6 +102,7 @@ class CourseMode(models.Model):
         max_length=255,
         null=True,
         blank=True,
+        default=None,  # Need this in order to set DEFAULT NULL on the database column
         verbose_name="Bulk SKU",
         help_text=_(
             u"This is the bulk SKU (stock keeping unit) of this mode in the external ecommerce service."