diff --git a/knora/dsplib/models/resourceclass.py b/knora/dsplib/models/resourceclass.py
index 65d53c358..485af4674 100644
--- a/knora/dsplib/models/resourceclass.py
+++ b/knora/dsplib/models/resourceclass.py
@@ -700,8 +700,6 @@ def resolve_resref(resref: str):
                 superclasses = [{"@id": "knora-api:Resource"}]
             else:
                 superclasses = list(map(resolve_resref, self._superclasses))
-            if self._comment is None or self._comment.isEmpty():
-                self._comment = LangString({"en": "[no comment provided]"})
             if self._label is None or self._label.isEmpty():
                 self._label = LangString("no label available")
             tmp = {
@@ -712,11 +710,14 @@ def resolve_resref(resref: str):
                     "@id": resid,
                     "@type": "owl:Class",
                     "rdfs:label": self._label.toJsonLdObj(),
-                    "rdfs:comment": self._comment.toJsonLdObj(),
                     "rdfs:subClassOf": superclasses
                 }],
                 "@context": self._context.toJsonObj(),
             }
+            if self._comment:
+                tmp["@graph"][0]["rdfs:comment"] = self._comment.toJsonLdObj()
+                print(tmp)
+
         elif action == Actions.Update:
             tmp = {
                 "@id": ontid,  # self._ontology_id,
diff --git a/knora/dsplib/utils/onto_create_ontology.py b/knora/dsplib/utils/onto_create_ontology.py
index 786c9bfc0..63ab3f6af 100644
--- a/knora/dsplib/utils/onto_create_ontology.py
+++ b/knora/dsplib/utils/onto_create_ontology.py
@@ -426,8 +426,6 @@ def create_ontology(input_file: str,
             res_comment = res_class.get("comments")
             if res_comment:
                 res_comment = LangString(res_comment)
-            else:
-                res_comment = LangString({"en": "[no comment provided]"})
             # if no cardinalities are submitted, don't create the class
             if not res_class.get("cardinalities"):
                 print(f"ERROR while trying to add cardinalities to class '{res_name}'. No cardinalities submitted. At"
@@ -505,8 +503,6 @@ def create_ontology(input_file: str,
             prop_comment = prop_class.get("comments")
             if prop_comment:
                 prop_comment = LangString(prop_comment)
-            else:
-                prop_comment = LangString({"en": "[no comment provided]"})
 
             new_prop_class = None
             try:
diff --git a/testdata/test-onto.json b/testdata/test-onto.json
index bc39975f1..208524113 100644
--- a/testdata/test-onto.json
+++ b/testdata/test-onto.json
@@ -31,9 +31,6 @@
                         "name": "a",
                         "labels": {
                             "en": "a_label with a\"post'rophes"
-                        },
-                        "comments": {
-                            "en": "no comment"
                         }
                     },
                     {
@@ -60,9 +57,6 @@
                         "name": "c",
                         "labels": {
                             "en": "c_label"
-                        },
-                        "comments": {
-                            "en": "no comment"
                         }
                     }
                 ]
@@ -95,9 +89,6 @@
                         "name": "notUsedNode_1",
                         "labels": {
                             "en": "nodeLabel_1"
-                        },
-                        "comments": {
-                            "en": "no comment"
                         }
                     }
                 ]
@@ -186,6 +177,10 @@
                         "labels": {
                             "en": "Text"
                         },
+                        "comments": {
+                            "en": "properties can optionally have comments",
+                            "de": "Properties können Kommentare haben"
+                        },
                         "gui_element": "SimpleText",
                         "gui_attributes": {
                             "maxlength": 255,
@@ -358,10 +353,6 @@
                         "labels": {
                             "en": "TestThing"
                         },
-                        "comments": {
-                            "en": "A thing to test things",
-                            "de": "Ein Ding um allerlei Dinge zu testen."
-                        },
                         "cardinalities": [
                             {
                                 "propname": ":hasText",
@@ -441,9 +432,6 @@
                         "labels": {
                             "en": "Another Test Thing"
                         },
-                        "comments": {
-                            "en": "Another thing for testing  things."
-                        },
                         "cardinalities": [
                             {
                                 "propname": ":hasText",