diff --git a/src/controllers/admin.js b/src/controllers/admin.js
index 94ae787145..65112ad229 100644
--- a/src/controllers/admin.js
+++ b/src/controllers/admin.js
@@ -290,9 +290,11 @@ adminController.languages.get = function(req, res, next) {
 		if (err) {
 			return next(err);
 		}
+
 		languages.forEach(function(language) {
-			language.selected = language.code === meta.config.defaultLang;
+			language.selected = language.code === (meta.config.defaultLang || 'en_GB');
 		});
+
 		res.render('admin/general/languages', {
 			languages: languages
 		});