diff --git a/js/directives/textarea.js b/js/directives/textarea.js
index 03e54f0..3688a63 100644
--- a/js/directives/textarea.js
+++ b/js/directives/textarea.js
@@ -4,7 +4,13 @@ webui.directive("textarea", function() {
     link: function(scope, element) {
       element.attr(
         "placeholder",
-        element.attr("placeholder").replace(/\\n/g, "\n")
+        function(index, placeholder) {
+          if (placeholder !== undefined) {
+            return placeholder.replace(/\\n/g, "\n");
+          } else {
+            return placeholder;
+          }
+        }
       ).bind("keydown keypress", function(event) {
         if (event.ctrlKey && event.which === 13) {
           event.preventDefault();