diff --git a/client/galaxy/scripts/mvc/form/form-section.js b/client/galaxy/scripts/mvc/form/form-section.js
index d964dd7d87c6..33f75b5e4925 100644
--- a/client/galaxy/scripts/mvc/form/form-section.js
+++ b/client/galaxy/scripts/mvc/form/form-section.js
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ var View = Backbone.View.extend({
     },
 
     /** Add a new input element */
-    add: function(input_def) {
+    add: function(input) {
+        var input_def = jQuery.extend({}, input);
         input_def.id = Utils.uid();
         this.app.input_list[input_def.id] = input_def;
         switch (input_def.type) {