diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/edit_book.html b/bookwyrm/templates/edit_book.html
index 700dc5704..e42f77f2d 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/edit_book.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/edit_book.html
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
                 {% for match in book_matches %}
                 <label class="label"><input type="radio" name="parent_work" value="{{ match.parent_work.id }}"> {{ match.parent_work.title }}</label>
                 {% endfor %}
-                <label><input type="radio" name="parent_work"> this is a new work</label>
+                <label><input type="radio" name="parent_work" value="0"> this is a new work</label>
             </fieldset>
             {% endif %}
         </div>
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/books.py b/bookwyrm/views/books.py
index ae60c677d..9048f43dd 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/books.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/books.py
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ class ConfirmEditBook(View):
             # create work, if needed
             if not book_id:
                 work_match = request.POST.get("parent_work")
-                if work_match:
+                if work_match and work_match != "0":
                     work = get_object_or_404(models.Work, id=work_match)
                 else:
                     work = models.Work.objects.create(title=form.cleaned_data["title"])