diff --git a/modules/luci-mod-network/htdocs/luci-static/resources/view/network/wireless.js b/modules/luci-mod-network/htdocs/luci-static/resources/view/network/wireless.js
index c25acf40c4..baecab1b4e 100644
--- a/modules/luci-mod-network/htdocs/luci-static/resources/view/network/wireless.js
+++ b/modules/luci-mod-network/htdocs/luci-static/resources/view/network/wireless.js
@@ -886,7 +886,7 @@ return view.extend({
 					o.default = o.enabled;
 
 					o = ss.taboption('advanced', form.Value, 'distance', _('Distance Optimization'), _('Distance to farthest network member in meters.'));
-					o.datatype = 'range(0,114750)';
+					o.datatype = 'or(range(0,114750),"auto")';
 					o.placeholder = 'auto';
 
 					o = ss.taboption('advanced', form.Value, 'frag', _('Fragmentation Threshold'));