diff --git a/src/definitions/modules/dropdown.js b/src/definitions/modules/dropdown.js
index b12378ce3..be9ec39e1 100644
--- a/src/definitions/modules/dropdown.js
+++ b/src/definitions/modules/dropdown.js
@@ -925,6 +925,9 @@ $.fn.dropdown = function(parameters) {
                 if(!itemActivated && !pageLostFocus) {
                   if(settings.forceSelection) {
                     module.forceSelection();
+                    if(!willRefocus) {
+                      module.hide();
+                    }
                   }
                   else {
                     module.hide();
@@ -3371,7 +3374,7 @@ $.fn.dropdown.settings = {
 
 
   apiSettings            : false,
-  minCharacters          : 1,          // Minimum characters required to trigger API call
+  minCharacters          : 0,          // Minimum characters required to trigger API call
   saveRemoteData         : true,       // Whether remote name/value pairs should be stored in sessionStorage to allow remote data to be restored on page refresh
   throttle               : 200,        // How long to wait after last user input to search remotely