diff --git a/app/main/forms.py b/app/main/forms.py
index 94dfbbe18..ebec282f8 100644
--- a/app/main/forms.py
+++ b/app/main/forms.py
@@ -1368,8 +1368,8 @@ class BrandingOptionsEmail(StripWhitespaceForm):
     def __init__(self, service, *args, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
         self.options.choices = tuple(self.get_available_choices(service))
-        if not self.something_else_is_only_option:
-            self.options.validators.append(DataRequired())
+        if self.something_else_is_only_option:
+            self.options.data = self.FALLBACK_OPTION_VALUE
 
     @staticmethod
     def get_available_choices(service):
diff --git a/tests/app/main/views/test_service_settings.py b/tests/app/main/views/test_service_settings.py
index 07fa3def5..61074fb13 100644
--- a/tests/app/main/views/test_service_settings.py
+++ b/tests/app/main/views/test_service_settings.py
@@ -4657,6 +4657,39 @@ def test_submit_email_branding_request(
     )
 
 
+def test_submit_email_branding_when_something_else_is_only_option(
+    client_request,
+    service_one,
+    mocker,
+    mock_get_service_settings_page_common,
+    mock_get_email_branding,
+):
+    mocker.patch(
+        'app.organisations_client.get_service_organisation',
+        return_value=None,
+    )
+
+    zendesk = mocker.patch(
+        'app.main.views.service_settings.zendesk_client.create_ticket',
+        autospec=True,
+    )
+
+    client_request.post(
+        '.branding_request',
+        service_id=SERVICE_ONE_ID,
+        _data={
+            'something_else': 'Homer Simpson',
+        },
+    )
+
+    assert (
+        'Current branding: GOV.UK\n'
+        'Branding requested: Something else\n'
+        '\n'
+        'Homer Simpson'
+    ) in zendesk.call_args_list[0][1]['message']
+
+
 def test_show_service_data_retention(
         platform_admin_client,
         service_one,