diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 986b23d6..d06e8cba 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/).
 ## [UNRELEASED]
 
 - Fix application of the read-only option on RichText fields.
+- Fix loading of default value for RichText fields.
 
 ## [1.21.28] - 2026-02-16
 
diff --git a/inc/field.class.php b/inc/field.class.php
index 8ac10838..49296d51 100644
--- a/inc/field.class.php
+++ b/inc/field.class.php
@@ -1178,8 +1178,8 @@ public static function prepareHtmlFields(
                         'itemtype' => $found_v[$itemtype_key],
                         'items_id' => $found_v[$items_id_key],
                     ];
-                } else {
-                    $value = $found_v[$field['name']] ?? '';
+                } elseif (isset($found_v[$field['name']])) {
+                    $value = $found_v[$field['name']];
                 }
             }