diff --git a/funders/forms.py b/funders/forms.py
index c48a9287d37bd1beda528d7490d50fd944acd5b8..0ed88110725d1846cafba44e29b5a83c78403ce9 100644
--- a/funders/forms.py
+++ b/funders/forms.py
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ class GrantForm(forms.ModelForm):
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         super(GrantForm, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
         self.fields['recipient'] = forms.ModelChoiceField(
-            queryset=Contributor.objects.all().order_by('user__last_name'))
+            queryset=Contributor.objects.all().order_by('user__last_name'),
+            required=False)
 
 
 class GrantSelectForm(forms.Form):