diff --git a/netbox/dcim/api/serializers.py b/netbox/dcim/api/serializers.py
index 79f5339ad..897ee4ca3 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/api/serializers.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/api/serializers.py
@@ -1076,7 +1076,7 @@ class CablePathSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
 
 class VirtualChassisSerializer(NetBoxModelSerializer):
     url = serializers.HyperlinkedIdentityField(view_name='dcim-api:virtualchassis-detail')
-    master = NestedDeviceSerializer(required=False)
+    master = NestedDeviceSerializer(required=False, allow_null=True, default=None)
     member_count = serializers.IntegerField(read_only=True)
 
     class Meta:
diff --git a/netbox/dcim/tests/test_api.py b/netbox/dcim/tests/test_api.py
index acd52178d..2697c29b2 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/tests/test_api.py
@@ -2057,6 +2057,7 @@ class VirtualChassisTest(APIViewTestCases.APIViewTestCase):
 
         cls.bulk_update_data = {
             'domain': 'newdomain',
+            'master': None
         }