diff --git a/src/registrar/assets/src/js/getgov/requesting-entity.js b/src/registrar/assets/src/js/getgov/requesting-entity.js
index 4e7cf8276..3bcdcd35c 100644
--- a/src/registrar/assets/src/js/getgov/requesting-entity.js
+++ b/src/registrar/assets/src/js/getgov/requesting-entity.js
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ export function handleRequestingEntityFieldset() {
     const selectParent = select?.parentElement;
     const suborgContainer = document.getElementById("suborganization-container");
     const suborgDetailsContainer = document.getElementById("suborganization-container__details");
+    const suborgAddtlInstruction = document.getElementById("suborganization-addtl-instruction");
     const subOrgCreateNewOption = document.getElementById("option-to-add-suborg")?.value;
     // Make sure all crucial page elements exist before proceeding.
     // This more or less ensures that we are on the Requesting Entity page, and not elsewhere.
@@ -26,7 +27,13 @@ export function handleRequestingEntityFieldset() {
     function toggleSuborganization(radio=null) {
         if (radio != null) requestingSuborganization = radio?.checked && radio.value === "True";
         requestingSuborganization ? showElement(suborgContainer) : hideElement(suborgContainer);
-        requestingNewSuborganization.value = requestingSuborganization && select.value === "other" ? "True" : "False";
+        if (select.options.length == 2) { // --Select-- and other are the only options
+            hideElement(selectParent); // Hide the select drop down and indicate requesting new suborg
+            hideElement(suborgAddtlInstruction); // Hide additional instruction related to the list
+            requestingNewSuborganization.value = "True";
+        } else {
+            requestingNewSuborganization.value = requestingSuborganization && select.value === "other" ? "True" : "False";
+        }
         requestingNewSuborganization.value === "True" ? showElement(suborgDetailsContainer) : hideElement(suborgDetailsContainer);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/registrar/forms/domain_request_wizard.py b/src/registrar/forms/domain_request_wizard.py
index 3b4e3d2ab..ccdbb17ba 100644
--- a/src/registrar/forms/domain_request_wizard.py
+++ b/src/registrar/forms/domain_request_wizard.py
@@ -159,9 +159,12 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """Extend the initialization of the form from RegistrarForm __init__"""
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
         if self.domain_request.portfolio:
+            choose_text = (
+                "(choose from list)" if self.domain_request.portfolio.portfolio_suborganizations.exists() else ""
+            )
             self.form_choices = (
                 (False, self.domain_request.portfolio),
-                (True, "A suborganization (choose from list)"),
+                (True, f"A suborganization {choose_text}"),
             )
         self.fields[self.field_name] = self.get_typed_choice_field()
 
diff --git a/src/registrar/templates/domain_request_requesting_entity.html b/src/registrar/templates/domain_request_requesting_entity.html
index 9ed83f2d0..d889a8f44 100644
--- a/src/registrar/templates/domain_request_requesting_entity.html
+++ b/src/registrar/templates/domain_request_requesting_entity.html
@@ -38,8 +38,9 @@ <h2>Who will use the domain you’re requesting?</h2>
         <div id="suborganization-container" class="margin-top-4">
             <h2>Add suborganization information</h2>
             <p>
-                This information will be published in <a class="usa-link usa-link--always-blue" target="_blank" href="{% public_site_url 'about/data' %}">.gov’s public data</a>. If you don’t see your suborganization in the list, 
-                select “other.”
+                This information will be published in <a class="usa-link usa-link--always-blue" target="_blank" href="{% public_site_url 'about/data' %}">.gov’s public data</a>.
+                <span id="suborganization-addtl-instruction"> If you don’t see your suborganization in the list, 
+                select “other.”</span>
             </p>
             {% with attr_required=True %}
                 {% input_with_errors forms.1.sub_organization %}