diff --git a/barbican/common/validators.py b/barbican/common/validators.py
index f33be4d8c..4361b43f2 100644
--- a/barbican/common/validators.py
+++ b/barbican/common/validators.py
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ class NewSecretValidator(ValidatorBase):
         self.schema = {
             "type": "object",
             "properties": {
-                "name": {"type": "string", "maxLength": 255},
+                "name": {"type": ["string", "null"], "maxLength": 255},
                 "algorithm": {"type": "string", "maxLength": 255},
                 "mode": {"type": "string", "maxLength": 255},
                 "bit_length": {
@@ -242,6 +242,7 @@ class NewSecretValidator(ValidatorBase):
                                                        payload, schema_name)
             json_data['payload'] = payload
         elif 'payload_content_type' in json_data:
+            # parent_schema would be populated if it comes from an order.
             self._assert_validity(parent_schema is not None, schema_name,
                                   u._("payload must be provided when "
                                       "payload_content_type is specified"),
diff --git a/barbican/tests/common/test_validators.py b/barbican/tests/common/test_validators.py
index e24c49d64..e7879921b 100644
--- a/barbican/tests/common/test_validators.py
+++ b/barbican/tests/common/test_validators.py
@@ -146,6 +146,10 @@ class WhenTestingSecretValidator(utils.BaseTestCase):
         self.secret_req['name'] = '    '
         self.validator.validate(self.secret_req)
 
+    def test_should_validate_null_name(self):
+        self.secret_req['name'] = None
+        self.validator.validate(self.secret_req)
+
     def test_should_validate_no_payload(self):
         del self.secret_req['payload']
         del self.secret_req['payload_content_type']