diff --git a/admin/code/LeftAndMain.php b/admin/code/LeftAndMain.php
index 4bdcbceb5..0f335e050 100644
--- a/admin/code/LeftAndMain.php
+++ b/admin/code/LeftAndMain.php
@@ -1409,7 +1409,7 @@ class LeftAndMain extends Controller implements PermissionProvider {
 	 */
 	public function BatchActionsForm() {
 		$actions = $this->batchactions()->batchActionList();
-		$actionsMap = array();
+		$actionsMap = array('-1' => _t('LeftAndMain.DropdownBatchActionsDefault', 'Choose an action...')); // Placeholder action
 		foreach($actions as $action) {
 			$actionsMap[$action->Link] = $action->Title;
 		}
@@ -1425,7 +1425,7 @@ class LeftAndMain extends Controller implements PermissionProvider {
 					$actionsMap
 				)
 					->setAttribute('autocomplete', 'off')
-					->setAttribute('data-placeholder', _t('LeftAndMain.DropdownBatchActionsDefault', 'Actions'))
+					->setAttribute('data-placeholder', _t('LeftAndMain.DropdownBatchActionsDefault', 'Choose an action...'))
 			),
 			new FieldList(
 				// TODO i18n
diff --git a/lang/en.yml b/lang/en.yml
index 65cb890e8..c8f3fdcba 100644
--- a/lang/en.yml
+++ b/lang/en.yml
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ en:
   LeftAndMain:
     CANT_REORGANISE: 'You do not have permission to alter Top level pages. Your change was not saved.'
     DELETED: Deleted.
-    DropdownBatchActionsDefault: Actions
+    DropdownBatchActionsDefault: 'Choose an action...'
     HELP: Help
     PAGETYPE: 'Page type'
     PERMAGAIN: 'You have been logged out of the CMS.  If you would like to log in again, enter a username and password below.'