diff --git a/rest_framework/utils/html.py b/rest_framework/utils/html.py
index c7ede7803..44976a1be 100644
--- a/rest_framework/utils/html.py
+++ b/rest_framework/utils/html.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def parse_html_list(dictionary, prefix='', default=None):
     return [ret[item] for item in sorted(ret)] if ret else default
 
 
-def parse_html_dict(dictionary, prefix=''):
+def parse_html_dict(dictionary, prefix='', default=None):
     """
     Used to support dictionary values in HTML forms.
 
@@ -92,4 +92,4 @@ def parse_html_dict(dictionary, prefix=''):
         value = dictionary.getlist(field)
         ret.setlist(key, value)
 
-    return ret
+    return ret if ret else default