diff --git a/modules/luci-base/luasrc/view/cbi/browser.htm b/modules/luci-base/luasrc/view/cbi/browser.htm
index 2abc975e8d..362c40bec1 100644
--- a/modules/luci-base/luasrc/view/cbi/browser.htm
+++ b/modules/luci-base/luasrc/view/cbi/browser.htm
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-<% local v = self:cfgvalue(section) -%>
+<% local v = self:cfgvalue(section) or self.default -%>
 <%+cbi/valueheader%>
 	<input class="cbi-input-text" type="text"<%= attr("value", v) .. attr("name", cbid) .. attr("id", cbid) %> />
 	<script type="text/javascript">