diff --git a/gooey/gui/components/widgets/counter.py b/gooey/gui/components/widgets/counter.py
index 137f7e3..766d716 100644
--- a/gooey/gui/components/widgets/counter.py
+++ b/gooey/gui/components/widgets/counter.py
@@ -8,9 +8,5 @@ class Counter(Dropdown):
     def setValue(self, value):
         self.widget.SetSelection(value)
 
-    def getWidgetValue(self):
-        return self.widget.GetValue()
-
-
     def formatOutput(self, metadata, value):
         return formatters.counter(metadata, value)
diff --git a/gooey/gui/components/widgets/dropdown.py b/gooey/gui/components/widgets/dropdown.py
index 24bfc3f..134e163 100644
--- a/gooey/gui/components/widgets/dropdown.py
+++ b/gooey/gui/components/widgets/dropdown.py
@@ -30,7 +30,12 @@ class Dropdown(TextContainer):
         self.widget.SetSelection(index)
 
     def getWidgetValue(self):
-        return self.widget.GetValue()
+        value = self.widget.GetValue()
+        # filter out the extra default option that's
+        # appended during creation
+        if value == _('select_option'):
+            return None
+        return value
 
     def formatOutput(self, metadata, value):
         return formatters.dropdown(metadata, value)
diff --git a/gooey/python_bindings/argparse_to_json.py b/gooey/python_bindings/argparse_to_json.py
index 2a215a6..ea8fb4f 100644
--- a/gooey/python_bindings/argparse_to_json.py
+++ b/gooey/python_bindings/argparse_to_json.py
@@ -310,9 +310,14 @@ def build_radio_group(mutex_group, widget_group, options):
 
 
 def action_to_json(action, widget, options):
+    dropdown_types = {'Listbox', 'Dropdown', 'Counter'}
     if action.required:
-        # check that it's present and not just spaces
-        validator = 'user_input and not user_input.isspace()'
+        # Text fields get a default check that user input is present
+        # and not just spaces, dropdown types get a simplified
+        # is-it-present style check
+        validator = ('user_input and not user_input.isspace()'
+                     if widget not in dropdown_types
+                     else 'user_input')
         error_msg = 'This field is required'
     else:
         # not required; do nothing;