Index: field_collection.module
===================================================================
--- field_collection.module
+++ field_collection.module
@@ -1240,7 +1240,8 @@
         $is_empty_multiple = (!count($elements['#value']));
         $is_empty_string = (is_string($elements['#value']) && drupal_strlen(trim($elements['#value'])) == 0);
         $is_empty_value = ($elements['#value'] === 0);
-        if ($is_empty_multiple || $is_empty_string || $is_empty_value) {
+        $is_empty_select = ($elements['#value'] === '_none');
+        if ($is_empty_multiple || $is_empty_string || $is_empty_value || $is_empty_select) {
           if (isset($elements['#title'])) {
             form_error($elements, t('!name field is required.', array('!name' => $elements['#title'])));
           }