diff --git a/profile_privacy.module b/profile_privacy.module
index 1bc1a16..89a4f28 100644
--- a/profile_privacy.module
+++ b/profile_privacy.module
@@ -266,7 +266,9 @@ function profile_privacy_form_alter_category($category, $account, &$form) {
         $privacy_dropbox[$element]['#default_value'] = $account->$element;
       }
       else {
-        $privacy_dropbox[$element]['#default_value'] = 'private';
+        $visibility = $profile_fields[$key]->visibility;
+        $default_value = ($visibility == PROFILE_PRIVATE || $visibility == PROFILE_HIDDEN) ? 'private' : 'public';
+        $privacy_dropbox[$element]['#default_value'] = $default_value;
       }
 
       // Makes sure dropbox is heaver than the field, but not as heavy as the