diff --git a/src/scripts/choices.ts b/src/scripts/choices.ts
index c91013d..238bef8 100644
--- a/src/scripts/choices.ts
+++ b/src/scripts/choices.ts
@@ -2371,7 +2371,10 @@ class Choices {
   }
 
   _generatePlaceholderValue(): string | null {
-    if (this._isSelectElement) {
+    if (
+      this._isSelectElement &&
+      (this.passedElement as WrappedSelect).placeholderOption
+    ) {
       const { placeholderOption } = this.passedElement as WrappedSelect;
 
       return placeholderOption ? placeholderOption.text : null;