diff --git a/frappe/desk/doctype/note/note.js b/frappe/desk/doctype/note/note.js
index 2cd64d8f15..ececf61bc7 100644
--- a/frappe/desk/doctype/note/note.js
+++ b/frappe/desk/doctype/note/note.js
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ frappe.ui.form.on("Note", {
 		if(frm.doc.__islocal) {
 			frm.events.set_editable(frm, true);
 		} else {
+			if(!frm.doc.content) {
+				frm.doc.content = "<span></span>";
+			}
+
 			// toggle edit
 			frm.add_custom_button("Edit", function() {
 				frm.events.set_editable(frm, !frm.is_note_editable);
diff --git a/frappe/model/base_document.py b/frappe/model/base_document.py
index 3dc909f2ea..b0bd13494f 100644
--- a/frappe/model/base_document.py
+++ b/frappe/model/base_document.py
@@ -306,9 +306,13 @@ class BaseDocument(object):
 
 	def show_unique_validation_message(self, e):
 		type, value, traceback = sys.exc_info()
-		fieldname = str(e).split("'")[-2]
-		label = fieldname if fieldname.startswith("unique_") else self.meta.get_label(fieldname)
-		frappe.msgprint(_("{0} must be unique".format(label)))
+		fieldname, label = str(e).split("'")[-2], None
+		if "unique_" in fieldname:
+			fieldname = fieldname.split("_", 1)[1]
+		df = self.meta.get_field(fieldname)
+		if df:
+			label = df.label
+		frappe.msgprint(_("{0} must be unique".format(label or fieldname)))
 		raise frappe.UniqueValidationError, (self.doctype, self.name, e), traceback
 
 	def db_set(self, fieldname, value, update_modified=True):