diff --git a/classes/data_controller.php b/classes/data_controller.php
index f735a1e0d086610885e290f6ea277c503d14951b..0b41a91b5998f41ddcf770e00f2a6c1382627b41 100644
--- a/classes/data_controller.php
+++ b/classes/data_controller.php
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ class data_controller extends \core_customfield\data_controller {
 
         $elementname = $this->get_form_element_name();
         $mform->addElement('select', $elementname, $this->get_field()->get_formatted_name(), $formattedoptions);
+        $mform->setDefault($elementname, $this->get_default_value());
 
         if ($field->get_configdata_property('required')) {
             $mform->addRule($elementname, null, 'required', null, 'client');