diff --git a/apps/files_encryption/settings-admin.php b/apps/files_encryption/settings-admin.php
index 5367605898..351bb652d9 100644
--- a/apps/files_encryption/settings-admin.php
+++ b/apps/files_encryption/settings-admin.php
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ $tmpl = new OCP\Template('files_encryption', 'settings-admin');
 // Check if an adminRecovery account is enabled for recovering files after lost pwd
 $view = new OC_FilesystemView('');
 
-$recoveryAdminEnabled = OC_Appconfig::getValue('files_encryption', 'recoveryAdminEnabled');
+$recoveryAdminEnabled = OC_Appconfig::getValue('files_encryption', 'recoveryAdminEnabled', '0');
 
 $tmpl->assign('recoveryEnabled', $recoveryAdminEnabled);