diff --git a/grade/report/grader/lib.php b/grade/report/grader/lib.php
index 3f6681e5454..70eb9b2bf6c 100644
--- a/grade/report/grader/lib.php
+++ b/grade/report/grader/lib.php
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ class grade_report_grader extends grade_report {
                 $changedgrades = true;
 
             } else if ($datatype === 'feedback') {
-                if ($oldvalue->feedback === $postedvalue) {
+                if (($oldvalue->feedback === $postedvalue) or ($oldvalue->feedback === NULL and empty($postedvalue))) {
                     continue;
                 }
             }