diff --git a/static/js/utils/form.js b/static/js/utils/form.js
index 3cbbbd852..ed8b0fa9a 100644
--- a/static/js/utils/form.js
+++ b/static/js/utils/form.js
@@ -308,6 +308,8 @@
     }
 
     function beforeUnloadHandler(event) {
+      // allow the event to happen if the form was not touched by the
+      // user or the unload event was initiated by a form submit
       if (!touched || unloadDueToSubmit) {
         return false;
       }