diff --git a/modules/field/field.default.inc b/modules/field/field.default.inc
index cb49bdb..b6f7aef 100644
--- a/modules/field/field.default.inc
+++ b/modules/field/field.default.inc
@@ -86,9 +86,18 @@ function field_default_validate($entity_type, $entity, $field, $instance, $langc
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Default field 'submit' operation.
+ *
+ * Filter out empty values and sort the remainder in preparation for insert, below.
+ */
 function field_default_submit($entity_type, $entity, $field, $instance, $langcode, &$items, $form, &$form_state) {
-  // Filter out empty values.
-  $items = _field_filter_items($field, $items);
+  // Empty values are okay for setting default values so we want to avoid 
+  //   calling _field_filter_items(). Example: set a default text-format.
+  if (!empty($entity)){
+    // Filter out empty values.
+    $items = _field_filter_items($field, $items);
+  }
   // Reorder items to account for drag-n-drop reordering.
   $items = _field_sort_items($field, $items);
 }