diff --git a/resources/i18n/en.json b/resources/i18n/en.json
index 2174e0c2bf..7838bfdd25 100644
--- a/resources/i18n/en.json
+++ b/resources/i18n/en.json
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@
         },
         "view": {
           "head": "View Item",
-          "title": "Item Edit -  Item"
+          "title": "Item Edit -  View"
         },
         "curate": {
           "head": "Curate",
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/edit-in-place-field/edit-in-place-field.component.html b/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/edit-in-place-field/edit-in-place-field.component.html
index e20b2a5c84..05eb03dd12 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/edit-in-place-field/edit-in-place-field.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/edit-in-place-field/edit-in-place-field.component.html
@@ -7,19 +7,20 @@
         <div *ngIf="(editable | async)" class="field-container">
             <ds-input-suggestions [suggestions]="(metadataFieldSuggestions | async)"
                                   [(ngModel)]="metadata.key"
-                                  (submitSuggestion)="update(suggestionControl.control)"
-                                  (clickSuggestion)="update(suggestionControl.control)"
-                                  (typeSuggestion)="update(suggestionControl.control)"
-                                  (blur)="checkValidity(suggestionControl.control)"
+                                  (submitSuggestion)="update(suggestionControl)"
+                                  (clickSuggestion)="update(suggestionControl)"
+                                  (typeSuggestion)="update(suggestionControl)"
+                                  (dsClickOutside)="checkValidity(suggestionControl)"
                                   (findSuggestions)="findMetadataFieldSuggestions($event)"
                                   #suggestionControl="ngModel"
-                                  [dsInListValidator]="metadataFields | async"
-                                  [valid]="(valid | async)"
+                                  [dsInListValidator]="metadataFields"
+                                  [valid]="(valid | async) !== false"
                                   dsAutoFocus autoFocusSelector=".suggestion_input"
+                                  [ngModelOptions]="{standalone: true}"
             ></ds-input-suggestions>
         </div>
         <small class="text-danger"
-               *ngIf="!(valid | async)">{{"item.edit.metadata.metadatafield.invalid" | translate}}</small>
+               *ngIf="(valid | async) === false">{{"item.edit.metadata.metadatafield.invalid" | translate}}</small>
     </div>
 </td>
 <td class="w-100">
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/edit-in-place-field/edit-in-place-field.component.ts b/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/edit-in-place-field/edit-in-place-field.component.ts
index 7d4922de43..47bcc66537 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/edit-in-place-field/edit-in-place-field.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/edit-in-place-field/edit-in-place-field.component.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import { FieldChangeType } from '../../../../core/data/object-updates/object-upd
 import { FieldUpdate } from '../../../../core/data/object-updates/object-updates.reducer';
 import { ObjectUpdatesService } from '../../../../core/data/object-updates/object-updates.service';
 import { getSucceededRemoteData } from '../../../../core/shared/operators';
-import { FormControl } from '@angular/forms';
+import { NgModel } from '@angular/forms';
 
 @Component({
   // tslint:disable-next-line:component-selector
@@ -27,14 +27,22 @@ export class EditInPlaceFieldComponent implements OnInit, OnChanges {
    * The current field, value and state of the metadatum
    */
   @Input() fieldUpdate: FieldUpdate;
+
   /**
    * The current url of this page
    */
   @Input() url: string;
+
+  /**
+   * List of strings with all metadata field keys available
+   */
+  @Input() metadataFields: string[];
+
   /**
    * The metadatum of this field
    */
   metadata: Metadatum;
+
   /**
    * Emits whether or not this field is currently editable
    */
@@ -50,11 +58,6 @@ export class EditInPlaceFieldComponent implements OnInit, OnChanges {
    */
   metadataFieldSuggestions: BehaviorSubject<InputSuggestion[]> = new BehaviorSubject([]);
 
-  /**
-   * List of strings with all metadata field keys available
-   */
-  metadataFields: Observable<string[]>;
-
   constructor(
     private metadataFieldService: RegistryService,
     private objectUpdatesService: ObjectUpdatesService,
@@ -67,26 +70,26 @@ export class EditInPlaceFieldComponent implements OnInit, OnChanges {
   ngOnInit(): void {
     this.editable = this.objectUpdatesService.isEditable(this.url, this.metadata.uuid);
     this.valid = this.objectUpdatesService.isValid(this.url, this.metadata.uuid);
-    this.metadataFields = this.findMetadataFields()
   }
 
   /**
    * Sends a new change update for this field to the object updates service
    */
-  update(control?: FormControl) {
+  update(ngModel?: NgModel) {
     this.objectUpdatesService.saveChangeFieldUpdate(this.url, this.metadata);
-    if (hasValue(control)) {
-      this.checkValidity(control);
+    if (hasValue(ngModel)) {
+      this.checkValidity(ngModel);
     }
   }
 
   /**
    * Method to check the validity of a form control
-   * @param control The form control to check
+   * @param ngModel
    */
-  private checkValidity(control: FormControl) {
-    control.updateValueAndValidity();
-    this.objectUpdatesService.setValidFieldUpdate(this.url, this.metadata.uuid, control.valid);
+  private checkValidity(ngModel: NgModel) {
+    ngModel.control.setValue(ngModel.viewModel);
+    ngModel.control.updateValueAndValidity();
+    this.objectUpdatesService.setValidFieldUpdate(this.url, this.metadata.uuid, ngModel.control.valid);
   }
 
   /**
@@ -124,30 +127,24 @@ export class EditInPlaceFieldComponent implements OnInit, OnChanges {
    * @param query The query to look for
    */
   findMetadataFieldSuggestions(query: string): void {
-    this.metadataFieldService.queryMetadataFields(query).pipe(
-      // getSucceededRemoteData(),
-      take(1),
-      map((data) => data.payload.page)
-    ).subscribe(
-      (fields: MetadataField[]) => this.metadataFieldSuggestions.next(
-        fields.map((field: MetadataField) => {
-          return {
-            displayValue: field.toString().split('.').join('.&#8203;'),
-            value: field.toString()
-          }
-        })
-      )
-    );
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Method to request all metadata fields and convert them to a list of strings
-   */
-  findMetadataFields(): Observable<string[]> {
-    return this.metadataFieldService.getAllMetadataFields().pipe(
-      getSucceededRemoteData(),
-      take(1),
-      map((remoteData$) => remoteData$.payload.page.map((field: MetadataField) => field.toString())));
+    if (isNotEmpty(query)) {
+      this.metadataFieldService.queryMetadataFields(query).pipe(
+        // getSucceededRemoteData(),
+        take(1),
+        map((data) => data.payload.page)
+      ).subscribe(
+        (fields: MetadataField[]) => this.metadataFieldSuggestions.next(
+          fields.map((field: MetadataField) => {
+            return {
+              displayValue: field.toString().split('.').join('.&#8203;'),
+              value: field.toString()
+            };
+          })
+        )
+      );
+    } else {
+      this.metadataFieldSuggestions.next([]);
+    }
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/item-metadata.component.html b/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/item-metadata.component.html
index 03b0e143b4..496429a3ba 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/item-metadata.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/item-metadata.component.html
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
         <tr *ngFor="let updateValue of ((updates$ | async)| dsObjectValues); trackBy: trackUpdate"
             ds-edit-in-place-field
             [fieldUpdate]="updateValue || {}"
+            [metadataFields]="metadataFields$ | async"
             [url]="url"
             [ngClass]="{
                 'table-warning': updateValue.changeType === 0,
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/item-metadata.component.ts b/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/item-metadata.component.ts
index 1df658d656..7b02d6fd1e 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/item-metadata.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-metadata/item-metadata.component.ts
@@ -11,12 +11,14 @@ import {
   Identifiable
 } from '../../../core/data/object-updates/object-updates.reducer';
 import { Metadatum } from '../../../core/shared/metadatum.model';
-import { first, map, switchMap, tap } from 'rxjs/operators';
+import { first, map, switchMap, take, tap } from 'rxjs/operators';
 import { getSucceededRemoteData } from '../../../core/shared/operators';
 import { RemoteData } from '../../../core/data/remote-data';
 import { NotificationsService } from '../../../shared/notifications/notifications.service';
 import { GLOBAL_CONFIG, GlobalConfig } from '../../../../config';
 import { TranslateService } from '@ngx-translate/core';
+import { RegistryService } from '../../../core/registry/registry.service';
+import { MetadataField } from '../../../core/metadata/metadatafield.model';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-item-metadata',
@@ -47,6 +49,11 @@ export class ItemMetadataComponent implements OnInit {
 
   private notitifactionPrefix = 'item.edit.metadata.notifications.';
 
+  /**
+   * Observable with a list of strings with all existing metadata field keys
+   */
+  metadataFields$: Observable<string[]>;
+
   constructor(
     private itemService: ItemDataService,
     private objectUpdatesService: ObjectUpdatesService,
@@ -54,7 +61,8 @@ export class ItemMetadataComponent implements OnInit {
     private notificationsService: NotificationsService,
     private translateService: TranslateService,
     @Inject(GLOBAL_CONFIG) protected EnvConfig: GlobalConfig,
-    private route: ActivatedRoute
+    private route: ActivatedRoute,
+    private metadataFieldService: RegistryService,
   ) {
 
   }
@@ -63,6 +71,7 @@ export class ItemMetadataComponent implements OnInit {
    * Set up and initialize all fields
    */
   ngOnInit(): void {
+    this.metadataFields$ = this.findMetadataFields()
     this.route.parent.data.pipe(map((data) => data.item))
       .pipe(
         first(),
@@ -208,4 +217,14 @@ export class ItemMetadataComponent implements OnInit {
     return this.translateService.instant(this.notitifactionPrefix + key + '.content');
 
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Method to request all metadata fields and convert them to a list of strings
+   */
+  findMetadataFields(): Observable<string[]> {
+    return this.metadataFieldService.getAllMetadataFields().pipe(
+      getSucceededRemoteData(),
+      take(1),
+      map((remoteData$) => remoteData$.payload.page.map((field: MetadataField) => field.toString())));
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/object-updates/object-updates.reducer.ts b/src/app/core/data/object-updates/object-updates.reducer.ts
index bb870dcc41..c0f10ff92a 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/object-updates/object-updates.reducer.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/object-updates/object-updates.reducer.ts
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ const initialFieldState = { editable: false, isNew: false, isValid: true };
 /**
  * Initial state for a newly added field
  */
-const initialNewFieldState = { editable: true, isNew: true, isValid: true };
+const initialNewFieldState = { editable: true, isNew: true, isValid: undefined };
 
 // Object.create(null) ensures the object has no default js properties (e.g. `__proto__`)
 const initialState = Object.create(null);
diff --git a/src/app/shared/input-suggestions/input-suggestions.component.html b/src/app/shared/input-suggestions/input-suggestions.component.html
index 1bd3cde22e..49e4c0a1d5 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/input-suggestions/input-suggestions.component.html
+++ b/src/app/shared/input-suggestions/input-suggestions.component.html
@@ -2,13 +2,12 @@
       [action]="action" (keydown)="onKeydown($event)"
       (keydown.arrowdown)="shiftFocusDown($event)"
       (keydown.arrowup)="shiftFocusUp($event)" (keydown.esc)="close()"
-      (dsClickOutside)="close()">
+      (dsClickOutside)="close();">
     <input #inputField type="text" [(ngModel)]="value" [name]="name"
            class="form-control suggestion_input"
            [ngClass]="{'is-invalid': !valid}"
            [dsDebounce]="debounceTime" (onDebounce)="find($event)"
            [placeholder]="placeholder"
-           (blur)="blur.emit($event);"
            [ngModelOptions]="{standalone: true}" autocomplete="off"/>
     <input type="submit" class="d-none"/>
     <div class="autocomplete dropdown-menu" [ngClass]="{'show': (show | async) && isNotEmpty(suggestions)}">
diff --git a/src/app/shared/input-suggestions/input-suggestions.component.ts b/src/app/shared/input-suggestions/input-suggestions.component.ts
index c754ecfb97..620c984be3 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/input-suggestions/input-suggestions.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/input-suggestions/input-suggestions.component.ts
@@ -85,11 +85,6 @@ export class InputSuggestionsComponent implements ControlValueAccessor, OnChange
    */
   @Output() findSuggestions = new EventEmitter();
 
-  /**
-   * Emits event when the input field loses focus
-   */
-  @Output() blur = new EventEmitter();
-
   /**
    * Emits true when the list of suggestions should be shown
    */
@@ -119,9 +114,14 @@ export class InputSuggestionsComponent implements ControlValueAccessor, OnChange
    */
   _value: string;
 
+  /** Fields needed to add ngModel */
+  @Input() disabled = false;
   propagateChange = (_: any) => {
     /* Empty implementation */
   };
+  propagateTouch = (_: any) => {
+    /* Empty implementation */
+  };
 
   /**
    * When any of the inputs change, check if we should still show the suggestions
@@ -214,9 +214,9 @@ export class InputSuggestionsComponent implements ControlValueAccessor, OnChange
   find(data) {
     if (!this.blockReopen) {
       this.findSuggestions.emit(data);
+      this.typeSuggestion.emit(data);
     }
     this.blockReopen = false;
-    this.typeSuggestion.emit(data);
   }
 
   onSubmit(data) {
@@ -230,11 +230,11 @@ export class InputSuggestionsComponent implements ControlValueAccessor, OnChange
   }
 
   registerOnTouched(fn: any): void {
-    /* no implementation */
+    this.propagateTouch = fn;
   }
 
   setDisabledState(isDisabled: boolean): void {
-    /* no implementation */
+    this.disabled = isDisabled;
   }
 
   writeValue(value: any): void {
diff --git a/src/app/shared/utils/auto-focus.directive.ts b/src/app/shared/utils/auto-focus.directive.ts
index b6ebdcbb7f..b009754412 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/utils/auto-focus.directive.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/utils/auto-focus.directive.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ export class AutoFocusDirective implements AfterViewInit {
   ngAfterViewInit() {
     if (isNotEmpty(this.autoFocusSelector)) {
       return this.el.nativeElement.querySelector(this.autoFocusSelector).focus();
-
     } else {
       return this.el.nativeElement.focus();
     }
diff --git a/src/app/shared/utils/click-outside.directive.ts b/src/app/shared/utils/click-outside.directive.ts
index e8efdf2d7a..b9397c65e5 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/utils/click-outside.directive.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/utils/click-outside.directive.ts
@@ -16,9 +16,11 @@ export class ClickOutsideDirective {
   constructor(private _elementRef: ElementRef) {
   }
 
-  @HostListener('document:click', ['$event.target'])
-  public onClick(targetElement) {
-    const clickedInside = this._elementRef.nativeElement.contains(targetElement);
+  @HostListener('document:click')
+  public onClick() {
+    const hostElement = this._elementRef.nativeElement;
+    const focusElement = hostElement.ownerDocument.activeElement;
+    const clickedInside = hostElement.contains(focusElement);
     if (!clickedInside) {
       this.dsClickOutside.emit(null);
     }
diff --git a/src/app/shared/utils/debounce.directive.ts b/src/app/shared/utils/debounce.directive.ts
index c2f2ecf076..8830679e2b 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/utils/debounce.directive.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/utils/debounce.directive.ts
@@ -25,12 +25,6 @@ export class DebounceDirective implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   @Input()
   public dsDebounce = 500;
 
-  /**
-   * True if no changes have been made to the input field's value
-   */
-  @Input()
-  private isFirstChange = true;
-
   /**
    * Subject to unsubscribe from
    */
@@ -47,11 +41,9 @@ export class DebounceDirective implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
     this.model.valueChanges.pipe(
       takeUntil(this.subject),
       debounceTime(this.dsDebounce),
-      distinctUntilChanged(),)
+      distinctUntilChanged())
       .subscribe((modelValue) => {
-        if (this.isFirstChange) {
-          this.isFirstChange = false;
-        } else {
+        if (this.model.dirty) {
           this.onDebounce.emit(modelValue);
         }
       });
diff --git a/src/app/shared/utils/in-list-validator.directive.ts b/src/app/shared/utils/in-list-validator.directive.ts
index 621ae93b83..42ff7da1fd 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/utils/in-list-validator.directive.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/utils/in-list-validator.directive.ts
@@ -24,9 +24,6 @@ export class InListValidator implements Validator {
    * @param c The FormControl
    */
   validate(c: FormControl): ValidationErrors | null {
-    if (this.dsInListValidator !== null) {
-      return inListValidator(this.dsInListValidator)(c);
-    }
-    return null;
+    return inListValidator(this.dsInListValidator)(c);
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/shared/utils/validator.functions.ts b/src/app/shared/utils/validator.functions.ts
index 3ad660731a..464a4f5487 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/utils/validator.functions.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/utils/validator.functions.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,17 @@
 import { AbstractControl, ValidatorFn } from '@angular/forms';
+import { isNotEmpty } from '../empty.util';
 
 /**
  * Returns a validator function to check if the control's value is in a given list
  * @param list The list to look in
  */
 export function inListValidator(list: string[]): ValidatorFn {
-  return (control: AbstractControl): {[key: string]: any} | null => {
-    const contains = list.indexOf(control.value) > -1;
-    return contains ? null : {inList: {value: control.value}}  };
+  return (control: AbstractControl): { [key: string]: any } | null => {
+    const hasValue = isNotEmpty(control.value);
+    let inList = true;
+    if (isNotEmpty(list)) {
+      inList = list.indexOf(control.value) > -1;
+    }
+    return (hasValue && inList) ? null : { inList: { value: control.value } }
+  };
 }