diff --git a/anki/models.py b/anki/models.py
index 62b3b82db..b32792c82 100644
--- a/anki/models.py
+++ b/anki/models.py
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ select id from notes where mid = ?)""" % " ".join(map),
         a = []
         b = []
         for f in flds:
-            a.append("1")
+            a.append("ankiflag")
             b.append("")
         data = [1, 1, m['id'], 1, t['ord'], "", joinFields(a)]
         full = self.col._renderQA(data)['q']
@@ -480,8 +480,8 @@ select id from notes where mid = ?)""" % " ".join(map),
             tmp = a[:]
             tmp[i] = ""
             data[6] = joinFields(tmp)
-            # if the result is same as empty, field is required
-            if self.col._renderQA(data)['q'] == empty:
+            # if no field content appeared, field is required
+            if "ankiflag" not in self.col._renderQA(data)['q']:
                 req.append(i)
         if req:
             return type, req
diff --git a/tests/test_models.py b/tests/test_models.py
index fde8644c7..56d673935 100644
--- a/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/tests/test_models.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # coding: utf-8
 
 from tests.shared import getEmptyDeck, assertException
-from anki.utils import stripHTML
+from anki.utils import stripHTML, joinFields
 
 def test_modelDelete():
     deck = getEmptyDeck()
@@ -230,3 +230,29 @@ def test_modelChange():
     f.load()
     assert f['Text'] == "f2"
     assert len(f.cards()) == 2
+
+def test_availOrds():
+    d = getEmptyDeck()
+    m = d.models.current(); mm = d.models
+    t = m['tmpls'][0]
+    f = d.newNote()
+    f['Front'] = "1"
+    # simple templates
+    assert mm.availOrds(m, joinFields(f.fields)) == [0]
+    t['qfmt'] = "{{Back}}"
+    mm.save(m, templates=True)
+    assert not mm.availOrds(m, joinFields(f.fields))
+    # AND
+    t['qfmt'] = "{{#Front}}{{#Back}}{{Front}}{{/Back}}{{/Front}}"
+    mm.save(m, templates=True)
+    assert not mm.availOrds(m, joinFields(f.fields))
+    t['qfmt'] = "{{#Front}}\n{{#Back}}\n{{Front}}\n{{/Back}}\n{{/Front}}"
+    mm.save(m, templates=True)
+    assert not mm.availOrds(m, joinFields(f.fields))
+    # OR
+    t['qfmt'] = "{{Front}}\n{{Back}}"
+    mm.save(m, templates=True)
+    assert mm.availOrds(m, joinFields(f.fields)) == [0]
+    t['Front'] = ""
+    t['Back'] = "1"
+    assert mm.availOrds(m, joinFields(f.fields)) == [0]