diff --git a/modules/image/image.module b/modules/image/image.module
index a9c4d02..0c13a6c 100644
--- a/modules/image/image.module
+++ b/modules/image/image.module
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ function image_field_update_instance($instance, $prior_instance) {
 
   // The value of a managed_file element can be an array if the #extended
   // property is set to TRUE.
-  $fid_new = $instance['settings']['default_image'];
+  $fid_new = (!empty($instance['settings']['default_image'])) ? $instance['settings']['default_image'] : NULL;
   if (is_array($fid_new)) {
     $fid_new = $fid_new['fid'];
   }