diff --git a/js/components/forms/new_project.js b/js/components/forms/new_project.js
index a0831116..8d930d1a 100644
--- a/js/components/forms/new_project.js
+++ b/js/components/forms/new_project.js
@@ -94,6 +94,11 @@ export default {
       }
     },
 
+    handleCancelSubmit: function () {
+      this.readyToSubmit = false
+      this.closeModal(this.modalName)
+    },
+
     validateAndOpenModal: function (modalName) {
       let isValid = this.$children.reduce((previous, newVal) => {
         // display textInput error if it is not valid
diff --git a/templates/fragments/edit_project_form.html b/templates/fragments/edit_project_form.html
index 1a3d96b6..b442d3f8 100644
--- a/templates/fragments/edit_project_form.html
+++ b/templates/fragments/edit_project_form.html
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 
       <div class='action-group'>
         <button type='submit' class='action-group__action usa-button' tabindex='0'>{{ action_text }} Project</button>
-        <button type='button' v-on:click="closeModal('{{ modalName }}')" class='icon-link action-group__action' tabindex='0'>Cancel</button>
+        <button type='button' v-on:click="handleCancelSubmit" class='icon-link action-group__action' tabindex='0'>Cancel</button>
       </div>
     {% endcall %}