diff --git a/module/program/ui/common.field.php b/module/program/ui/common.field.php
index d5341c562e..c5506b68b3 100644
--- a/module/program/ui/common.field.php
+++ b/module/program/ui/common.field.php
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ global $lang, $config;
 $fields = defineFieldList('program');
 
 $fields->field('parent')
-    ->required()
     ->items(data('parents'))
     ->value(data('parentProgram.id'));