diff --git a/select2.js b/select2.js
index 2146b6ee..815d04bb 100644
--- a/select2.js
+++ b/select2.js
@@ -2084,7 +2084,7 @@ the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the Apache Lic
 
         isPlaceholderOptionSelected: function() {
             var placeholderOption;
-            if (!this.opts.placeholder) return false; // no placeholder specified so no option should be considered
+            if (!this.getPlaceholder()) return false; // no placeholder specified so no option should be considered
             return ((placeholderOption = this.getPlaceholderOption()) !== undefined && placeholderOption.is(':selected'))
                 || (this.opts.element.val() === "")
                 || (this.opts.element.val() === undefined)