diff --git a/question/type/edit_question_form.php b/question/type/edit_question_form.php
index 7b5fb9cde0f..735615a48d8 100644
--- a/question/type/edit_question_form.php
+++ b/question/type/edit_question_form.php
@@ -187,9 +187,8 @@ abstract class question_edit_form extends question_wizard_form {
         $mform->setType('questiontext', PARAM_RAW);
         $mform->addRule('questiontext', null, 'required', null, 'client');
 
-        $mform->addElement('text', 'defaultmark', get_string('defaultmark', 'question'),
+        $mform->addElement('float', 'defaultmark', get_string('defaultmark', 'question'),
                 array('size' => 7));
-        $mform->setType('defaultmark', PARAM_FLOAT);
         $mform->setDefault('defaultmark', 1);
         $mform->addRule('defaultmark', null, 'required', null, 'client');