diff --git a/paper-dropdown-menu.html b/paper-dropdown-menu.html
index 1e5cff0..219533c 100644
--- a/paper-dropdown-menu.html
+++ b/paper-dropdown-menu.html
@@ -354,17 +354,15 @@
          * optional `label` property.
          */
         _selectedItemChanged: function(selectedItem) {
-          if (!this.readonly) {
-            var value = '';
-            if (!selectedItem) {
-              value = '';
-            } else {
-              value = selectedItem.label || selectedItem.textContent.trim();
-            }
-
-            this._setValue(value);
-            this._setSelectedItemLabel(value);
+          var value = '';
+          if (!selectedItem) {
+            value = '';
+          } else {
+            value = selectedItem.label || selectedItem.textContent.trim();
           }
+
+          this._setValue(value);
+          this._setSelectedItemLabel(value);
         },
 
         /**