diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/open_ended_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/open_ended_module.py
index 2e7a3ea..bd873cb 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/open_ended_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/open_ended_module.py
@@ -649,7 +649,6 @@ class OpenEndedModule(openendedchild.OpenEndedChild):
 
         # add new history element with answer and empty score and hint.
         success, data = self.append_image_to_student_answer(data)
-        error_message = ""
         if success:
             success, allowed_to_submit, error_message = self.check_if_student_can_submit()
             if allowed_to_submit:
@@ -698,7 +697,7 @@ class OpenEndedModule(openendedchild.OpenEndedChild):
             score = self.latest_score()
             correct = 'correct' if self.is_submission_correct(score) else 'incorrect'
             if self.child_state == self.ASSESSING:
-                eta_string = self.get_eta()
+                eta_string = ""
         else:
             post_assessment = ""
             correct = ""
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/self_assessment_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/self_assessment_module.py
index 1262e1f..baba66e 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/self_assessment_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/self_assessment_module.py
@@ -184,14 +184,9 @@ class SelfAssessmentModule(openendedchild.OpenEndedChild):
         # add new history element with answer and empty score and hint.
         success, data = self.append_image_to_student_answer(data)
         if success:
-            success, allowed_to_submit, error_message = self.check_if_student_can_submit()
-            if allowed_to_submit:
-                data['student_answer'] = SelfAssessmentModule.sanitize_html(data['student_answer'])
-                self.new_history_entry(data['student_answer'])
-                self.change_state(self.ASSESSING)
-            else:
-                # Error message already defined
-                success = False
+            data['student_answer'] = SelfAssessmentModule.sanitize_html(data['student_answer'])
+            self.new_history_entry(data['student_answer'])
+            self.change_state(self.ASSESSING)
         else:
             # This is a student_facing_error
             error_message = "There was a problem saving the image in your submission.  Please try a different image, or try pasting a link to an image into the answer box."