diff --git a/atst/routes/task_orders/new.py b/atst/routes/task_orders/new.py
index 5417ecc3..e6cd6dfb 100644
--- a/atst/routes/task_orders/new.py
+++ b/atst/routes/task_orders/new.py
@@ -142,6 +142,12 @@ class UpdateTaskOrderWorkflow(ShowTaskOrderWorkflow):
                 Portfolios.update(self.task_order.portfolio, {"name": new_name})
             to_data.pop("portfolio_name")
 
+        # don't save other text in DB unless "other" is checked
+        if "complexity" in to_data and "other" not in to_data["complexity"]:
+            to_data["complexity_other"] = ""
+        if "dev_team" in to_data and "other" not in to_data["dev_team"]:
+            to_data["dev_team_other"] = ""
+
         return to_data
 
     def validate(self):
@@ -152,7 +158,6 @@ class UpdateTaskOrderWorkflow(ShowTaskOrderWorkflow):
             if "portfolio_name" in self.form.data:
                 new_name = self.form.data["portfolio_name"]
                 old_name = self.task_order.portfolio_name
-                if not new_name == old_name:
                     Portfolios.update(self.task_order.portfolio, {"name": new_name})
             TaskOrders.update(self.user, self.task_order, **self.task_order_form_data)
         else: