diff --git a/addressfield.module b/addressfield.module
index 68b45d9..03b012b 100644
--- a/addressfield.module
+++ b/addressfield.module
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ function addressfield_field_widget_form(&$form, &$form_state, $field, $instance,
  * Element validate callback: rebuilds the form on country change.
  */
 function addressfield_standard_country_validate($element, &$form_state) {
-  if ($element['#default_value'] != $element['#value']) {
+  if (isset($element['#default_value']) && $element['#default_value'] != $element['#value']) {
     $parents = $element['#parents'];
     array_pop($parents);
     $address = drupal_array_get_nested_value($form_state['values'], $parents);