diff --git a/app/models/champs/multiple_drop_down_list_champ.rb b/app/models/champs/multiple_drop_down_list_champ.rb
index 4f14f197b..4e041fd0b 100644
--- a/app/models/champs/multiple_drop_down_list_champ.rb
+++ b/app/models/champs/multiple_drop_down_list_champ.rb
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class Champs::MultipleDropDownListChamp < Champ
   end
 
   def values_are_in_options
-    json = JSON.parse(value).reject(&:blank?)
+    json = selected_options.reject(&:blank?)
     return if json.empty?
     return if (json - enabled_non_empty_options).empty?