diff --git a/node_reference/node_reference.module b/node_reference/node_reference.module
index 46d1e13..4aa7875 100644
--- a/node_reference/node_reference.module
+++ b/node_reference/node_reference.module
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ function node_reference_field_widget_form(&$form, &$form_state, $field, $instanc
         '#default_value' => isset($items[$delta]['nid']) ? $items[$delta]['nid'] : NULL,
         '#autocomplete_path' => $instance['widget']['settings']['autocomplete_path'] . '/' . $instance['entity_type'] . '/' . $instance['bundle'] . '/' . $field['field_name'],
         '#size' => $instance['widget']['settings']['size'],
-        '#maxlength' => 255,
+        '#maxlength' => NULL,
         '#element_validate' => array('node_reference_autocomplete_validate'),
         '#value_callback' => 'node_reference_autocomplete_value',
       );