diff --git a/static/index.js b/static/index.js
index e187b9f..b87cbaf 100644
--- a/static/index.js
+++ b/static/index.js
@@ -197,9 +197,13 @@ submitButton.addEventListener('click', async () => {
 
     isSubmitting = true;
 
+
     let actor_1 = selections['actor_1'];
     let actor_2 = selections['actor_2'];
 
+    // hide the error message
+    errorSection.style.display = 'none';
+
     if (actor_1 && actor_2) {
         try {
             spinner.classList.remove('d-none');