diff --git a/python/educational-core/course-creator/src/com/jetbrains/edu/coursecreator/ui/CCCreateAnswerPlaceholderPanel.java b/python/educational-core/course-creator/src/com/jetbrains/edu/coursecreator/ui/CCCreateAnswerPlaceholderPanel.java
index f2a479d2fa1b..d257fae4a8a5 100644
--- a/python/educational-core/course-creator/src/com/jetbrains/edu/coursecreator/ui/CCCreateAnswerPlaceholderPanel.java
+++ b/python/educational-core/course-creator/src/com/jetbrains/edu/coursecreator/ui/CCCreateAnswerPlaceholderPanel.java
@@ -50,6 +50,14 @@ public class CCCreateAnswerPlaceholderPanel {
           myHintTextArea.setText("");
         }
       }
+
+      @Override
+      public void focusLost(FocusEvent e) {
+        if (myShownHintNumber == 0 && myHintTextArea.getText().isEmpty()) {
+          myHintTextArea.setForeground(UIUtil.getInactiveTextColor());
+          myHintTextArea.setText(ourFirstHintText);
+        }
+      }
     });
 
     myPlaceholderTextArea.grabFocus();