diff --git a/docs/release-notes/version-3.1.md b/docs/release-notes/version-3.1.md
index f75f1545a..6fcc9cc35 100644
--- a/docs/release-notes/version-3.1.md
+++ b/docs/release-notes/version-3.1.md
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 * [#8213](https://github.com/netbox-community/netbox/issues/8213) - Fix ValueError exception under prefix IP addresses view
 * [#8224](https://github.com/netbox-community/netbox/issues/8224) - Fix KeyError exception when creating FHRP group with IP address and protocol "other"
 * [#8226](https://github.com/netbox-community/netbox/issues/8226) - Honor return URL after populating a device bay
+* [#8228](https://github.com/netbox-community/netbox/issues/8228) - Optional ChoiceVar fields should not force a selection
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/netbox/extras/scripts.py b/netbox/extras/scripts.py
index b128f7461..572dcd835 100644
--- a/netbox/extras/scripts.py
+++ b/netbox/extras/scripts.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ from extras.models import JobResult
 from ipam.formfields import IPAddressFormField, IPNetworkFormField
 from ipam.validators import MaxPrefixLengthValidator, MinPrefixLengthValidator, prefix_validator
 from utilities.exceptions import AbortTransaction
-from utilities.forms import DynamicModelChoiceField, DynamicModelMultipleChoiceField
+from utilities.forms import add_blank_choice, DynamicModelChoiceField, DynamicModelMultipleChoiceField
 from .context_managers import change_logging
 from .forms import ScriptForm
 
@@ -164,16 +164,22 @@ class ChoiceVar(ScriptVariable):
     def __init__(self, choices, *args, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
 
-        # Set field choices
-        self.field_attrs['choices'] = choices
+        # Set field choices. Add a blank choice if this field is not required.
+        self.field_attrs['choices'] = choices if kwargs.get('required') else add_blank_choice(choices)
 
 
-class MultiChoiceVar(ChoiceVar):
+class MultiChoiceVar(ScriptVariable):
     """
     Like ChoiceVar, but allows for the selection of multiple choices.
     """
     form_field = forms.MultipleChoiceField
 
+    def __init__(self, choices, *args, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+
+        # Set field choices
+        self.field_attrs['choices'] = choices
+
 
 class ObjectVar(ScriptVariable):
     """