diff --git a/src/js/select2/dropdown/hidePlaceholder.js b/src/js/select2/dropdown/hidePlaceholder.js
index 2901f68886..a6869b51a7 100644
--- a/src/js/select2/dropdown/hidePlaceholder.js
+++ b/src/js/select2/dropdown/hidePlaceholder.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ define([
   };
 
   HidePlaceholder.prototype.normalizePlaceholder = function (_, placeholder) {
-    if (typeof placeholder === 'string') {
+    if (typeof placeholder !== 'object') {
       placeholder = {
         id: '',
         text: placeholder
diff --git a/src/js/select2/selection/placeholder.js b/src/js/select2/selection/placeholder.js
index c58b83b0d4..9ed55e662a 100644
--- a/src/js/select2/selection/placeholder.js
+++ b/src/js/select2/selection/placeholder.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ define([
   }
 
   Placeholder.prototype.normalizePlaceholder = function (_, placeholder) {
-    if (typeof placeholder === 'string') {
+    if (typeof placeholder !== 'object') {
       placeholder = {
         id: '',
         text: placeholder