diff --git a/wagtail/tests/testapp/models.py b/wagtail/tests/testapp/models.py
index 1af432fe6b..1bb53fa13f 100644
--- a/wagtail/tests/testapp/models.py
+++ b/wagtail/tests/testapp/models.py
@@ -144,7 +144,8 @@ class PageWithExcludedCopyField(Page):
     content = models.TextField()
 
     # Exclude this field from being copied
-    special_field = models.CharField(max_length=255, default='Very Special')
+    special_field = models.CharField(
+        blank=True, max_length=255, default='Very Special')
     exclude_fields_in_copy = ['special_field']
 
     content_panels = [