diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/parameters/models.py b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/parameters/models.py
index ab5d2fea5f0d..2cb05b1bdad1 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/parameters/models.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/parameters/models.py
@@ -601,18 +601,30 @@ def pydantic_template(self, state_representation: StateRepresentationT) -> Dynam
             self.parameters, f"Repeat_{self.name}", state_representation
         )
 
+        if self.request_requires_value:
+            initialize_repeat = ...
+        else:
+            initialize_repeat = None
+
         class RepeatType(RootModel):
-            root: List[instance_class] = Field(..., min_length=self.min, max_length=self.max)  # type: ignore[valid-type]
+            root: List[instance_class] = Field(initialize_repeat, min_length=self.min, max_length=self.max)  # type: ignore[valid-type]
 
         return DynamicModelInformation(
             self.name,
-            (RepeatType, ...),
+            (RepeatType, initialize_repeat),
             {},
         )
 
     @property
     def request_requires_value(self) -> bool:
-        return True  # TODO:
+        if self.min is None or self.min == 0:
+            return False
+        # so we know we need at least one value, but maybe none of the parameters in the list
+        # are required
+        for parameter in self.parameters:
+            if parameter.request_requires_value:
+                return True
+        return False
 
 
 class SectionParameterModel(BaseGalaxyToolParameterModelDefinition):
diff --git a/test/unit/tool_util/parameter_specification.yml b/test/unit/tool_util/parameter_specification.yml
index ed1cc5981332..31580d3422d4 100644
--- a/test/unit/tool_util/parameter_specification.yml
+++ b/test/unit/tool_util/parameter_specification.yml
@@ -558,6 +558,8 @@ gx_repeat_data:
     - parameter: []
     - parameter:
       - { data_parameter: {src: hda, id: abcdabcd} }
+    # an empty repeat is fine
+    - {}
   request_invalid:
     - parameter: [{}, {}]
     - parameter: [{}]