diff --git a/static/js/utils/form.js b/static/js/utils/form.js
index e45fd56c0..2e9bbc92b 100644
--- a/static/js/utils/form.js
+++ b/static/js/utils/form.js
@@ -20,8 +20,15 @@
   }
 
   window.utils.form = function(form, options) {
+    options = options || {};
 
-    if (form.classList.contains(JS_INITIALIZED)) {
+    // dont initialize form if it is in a modal and is not forced
+    if (form.closest('.modal') && !options.force) {
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    // dont initialize form if already initialized and should not be force-initialized
+    if (form.classList.contains(JS_INITIALIZED) && !options.force) {
       return false;
     }
 
diff --git a/static/js/utils/modal.js b/static/js/utils/modal.js
index 5c6c1ec43..a5971edf7 100644
--- a/static/js/utils/modal.js
+++ b/static/js/utils/modal.js
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
     function setupForm() {
       var form = modalElement.querySelector('form');
       if (form) {
-        utilInstances.push(window.utils.setup('form', form, { headers: MODAL_HEADERS }));
+        utilInstances.push(window.utils.setup('form', form, { headers: MODAL_HEADERS, force: true }));
       }
     }