diff --git a/app/models.py b/app/models.py
index ad67e95..021f220 100644
--- a/app/models.py
+++ b/app/models.py
@@ -76,6 +76,11 @@ class RangeType(models.Model):
         return self.range_type
 
 
+def allow_empty(value):
+    if value is None or value == "":
+        return 0
+
+
 class MountainRange(models.Model):
     MAP_UNIT_CHOICES = (
         ('Aggregated', 'Aggregated'),
@@ -100,8 +105,8 @@ class MountainRange(models.Model):
     level_1 = models.TextField(blank=True, null=True)
     level_2 = models.TextField(blank=True, null=True)
     level_3 = models.TextField(blank=True, null=True)
-    latitude = models.DecimalField(max_digits=22, decimal_places=16, blank=True, null=True)
-    longitude = models.DecimalField(max_digits=22, decimal_places=16, blank=True, null=True)
+    latitude = models.DecimalField(max_digits=22, decimal_places=16, blank=True, null=True, default=0, validators =[allow_empty])
+    longitude = models.DecimalField(max_digits=22, decimal_places=16, blank=True, null=True, default=0, validators =[allow_empty])
     orogeny = models.TextField(blank=True, null=True)
     area = models.FloatField(blank=True, null=True)
     GMBA_v1_id = models.CharField(blank=True, null=True, max_length=25)