diff --git a/select2.js b/select2.js
index 5abe5b9b..7b55f75a 100755
--- a/select2.js
+++ b/select2.js
@@ -756,9 +756,7 @@
         },
 
         getPlaceholder: function () {
-            var placeholder = this.opts.element.data("placeholder");
-            if (placeholder !== undefined) return placeholder;
-            return this.opts.placeholder;
+            return this.opts.element.attr("placeholder") || this.opts.element.data("placeholder") || this.opts.placeholder;
         },
 
         /**