diff --git a/openerp/addons/base/base_update.xml b/openerp/addons/base/base_update.xml
index c8d99f76041..2cb41017212 100644
--- a/openerp/addons/base/base_update.xml
+++ b/openerp/addons/base/base_update.xml
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@
                     <group colspan="4" col="6">
                         <group colspan="4" col="4">
                             <field name="name"/>
-                            <field name="partner_id" readonly="1"/>
+                            <field name="partner_id" readonly="1" required="0"/>
                             <field name="parent_id"  groups="base.group_multi_company"/>
                         </group>
                         <group colspan="2" col="2">