diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tools/parameters/basic.py b/lib/galaxy/tools/parameters/basic.py
index f38694a9f859..1b83a53b6add 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tools/parameters/basic.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tools/parameters/basic.py
@@ -910,7 +910,7 @@ def get_initial_value(self, trans, other_values):
                 value = options[0][1]
             else:
                 value = None
-        elif len(value) == 1:
+        elif len(value) == 1 or not self.multiple:
             value = value[0]
         return value