diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/foldit_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/foldit_module.py
index 20d4e464fa..1851a4adc2 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/foldit_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/foldit_module.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class FolditFields(object):
     # default to what Spring_7012x uses
     required_level = Integer(default=4, scope=Scope.settings)
     required_sublevel = Integer(default=5, scope=Scope.settings)
-    due = Date(help="Date that this problem is due by", scope=Scope.settings, default='')
+    due = Date(help="Date that this problem is due by", scope=Scope.settings)
 
     show_basic_score = String(scope=Scope.settings, default='false')
     show_leaderboard = String(scope=Scope.settings, default='false')