diff --git a/lib/custom_wizard/validators/update.rb b/lib/custom_wizard/validators/update.rb
index d71bded1..631dab55 100644
--- a/lib/custom_wizard/validators/update.rb
+++ b/lib/custom_wizard/validators/update.rb
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class ::CustomWizard::UpdateValidator
     file_types = field.file_types
     format = field.format
 
-    if required && !value
+    if required && !value.present?
       @updater.errors.add(field_id, I18n.t('wizard.field.required', label: label))
     end
 
diff --git a/spec/components/custom_wizard/update_validator_spec.rb b/spec/components/custom_wizard/update_validator_spec.rb
index 7caa1784..db5c8ff9 100644
--- a/spec/components/custom_wizard/update_validator_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/components/custom_wizard/update_validator_spec.rb
@@ -114,6 +114,16 @@ describe CustomWizard::UpdateValidator do
     ).to eq(I18n.t('wizard.field.required', label: 'Textarea'))
   end
 
+  it 'requires required fields with blank string values' do
+    @template[:steps][0][:fields][1][:required] = true
+    CustomWizard::Template.save(@template)
+
+    updater = perform_validation('step_1', step_1_field_2: "")
+    expect(
+      updater.errors.messages[:step_1_field_2].first
+    ).to eq(I18n.t('wizard.field.required', label: 'Textarea'))
+  end
+
   context "subscription fields" do
     before do
       enable_subscription("standard")