diff --git a/pylons_app/model/forms.py b/pylons_app/model/forms.py
--- a/pylons_app/model/forms.py
+++ b/pylons_app/model/forms.py
@@ -61,7 +61,8 @@ class ValidUsername(formencode.validator
 class ValidPassword(formencode.validators.FancyValidator):
     
     def to_python(self, value, state):
-        return get_crypt_password(value)
+        if value:
+            return get_crypt_password(value)
         
 class ValidAuth(formencode.validators.FancyValidator):
     messages = {
diff --git a/pylons_app/model/user_model.py b/pylons_app/model/user_model.py
--- a/pylons_app/model/user_model.py
+++ b/pylons_app/model/user_model.py
@@ -62,7 +62,6 @@ class UserModel(object):
                                   " crucial for entire application"))
             for k, v in form_data.items():
                 if k == 'new_password' and v != '':
-                    
                     new_user.password = v
                 else:
                     setattr(new_user, k, v)