diff --git a/src/main/java/teammates/ui/webapi/CreateAccountRequestAction.java b/src/main/java/teammates/ui/webapi/CreateAccountRequestAction.java
index e7cb0b728e9..e7233ea4c8b 100644
--- a/src/main/java/teammates/ui/webapi/CreateAccountRequestAction.java
+++ b/src/main/java/teammates/ui/webapi/CreateAccountRequestAction.java
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ public JsonResult execute()
         String instructorEmail = createRequest.getInstructorEmail().trim();
         String instructorInstitution = createRequest.getInstructorInstitution().trim();
         // TODO: This is a placeholder. It should be obtained from AccountCreateRequest, in a separate PR.
-        String comments = new String();
+        String comments = "PLACEHOLDER";
 
         AccountRequest accountRequest;