diff --git a/includes/user.variable.inc b/includes/user.variable.inc
index 24e0f5b..3bf6eab 100644
--- a/includes/user.variable.inc
+++ b/includes/user.variable.inc
@@ -198,6 +198,9 @@ function user_variable_type_info() {
  * Default callback for user mail variables
  */
 function user_variable_mail_default($variable, $options) {
+  if (isset($variable['default'])) {
+    return $variable['default'];
+  }
   // Remove 'user_mail_' prefix
   $name = substr($variable['name'], 10);
   return _user_mail_text($name, $options['language']);