diff --git a/anatomy/models.py b/anatomy/models.py
index 24d9928d..2d062892 100644
--- a/anatomy/models.py
+++ b/anatomy/models.py
@@ -513,6 +513,12 @@ class CidUserAnswer(models.Model):
 
         q = self.question
         ans = self.answer_compare
+
+        if ans == "":
+            self.score == Answer.MarkOptions.INCORRECT
+            self.save()
+            return 0
+
         marked_ans = q.answers.filter(answer_compare__iexact=ans).first()
 
         mark = "unmarked"
diff --git a/rapids/models.py b/rapids/models.py
index 6e3f38ac..9b019c94 100644
--- a/rapids/models.py
+++ b/rapids/models.py
@@ -727,6 +727,12 @@ class CidUserAnswer(models.Model):
         # Then compare answer strings (as per anatomy questions)
         ans = self.answer_compare
 
+        if ans == "":
+            self.score == Answer.MarkOptions.INCORRECT
+            self.save()
+            return 0
+
+
         # TODO: this should be cleaned up as we don't want duplicates...
         # try:
         #    marked_ans = q.answers.get(answer_compare__iexact=ans)