diff --git a/src/Handler/Exam/Form.hs b/src/Handler/Exam/Form.hs
index 41c003cab..9deb02102 100644
--- a/src/Handler/Exam/Form.hs
+++ b/src/Handler/Exam/Form.hs
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ examForm (Entity _ Course{..}) template csrf = hoist liftHandler $ do
         )
         ( case schoolSheetExamAuthorshipStatementMode of
             SchoolAuthorshipStatementModeNone     -> Just False
-            SchoolAuthorshipStatementModeOptional -> is _Just . efAuthorshipStatement <$> template
+            SchoolAuthorshipStatementModeOptional -> (is _Just . efAuthorshipStatement <$> template) <|> (pure $ is _Just schoolSheetExamAuthorshipStatementDefinition)
             SchoolAuthorshipStatementModeRequired -> Just True
         )