diff --git a/static/js/services/ui-service.js b/static/js/services/ui-service.js
index 32a2acd24..7158eea8a 100644
--- a/static/js/services/ui-service.js
+++ b/static/js/services/ui-service.js
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ angular.module('quay').factory('UIService', ['$timeout', '$rootScope', '$locatio
   uiService.showFormError = function(elem, result, opt_placement) {
     var message =  result.data['message'] || result.data['error_description'] || '';
     if (message) {
-      uiService.showPopover(elem, message, opt_placement);
+      uiService.showPopover(elem, message, opt_placement || 'bottom');
     } else {
       uiService.hidePopover(elem);
     }