Server-side field conditional field validation - New UI

Hello,

I have a server-side field validation based on a condition of a picklist value selection as given below. So if the specific picklist value is selected, then check for validation else do not check for validation. Now when I do select the picklist value that needs validation, this works correctly and displays an error message. However, now that the error message is still there and if I change the picklist value and try to save, I am unable to save the form. Any suggestions on how to fix this? Kindly let me know.

Cheers.

if("{!picklist#code}" === "condition1")
{
if("{!field}" === "")
{
return "field must be specified";
}
}