diff --git a/includes/common.inc b/includes/common.inc
index 687ade4..f084e88 100644
--- a/includes/common.inc
+++ b/includes/common.inc
@@ -4876,6 +4876,12 @@ function drupal_render(&$elements) {
   // them.
   if (isset($elements['#type']) && empty($elements['#defaults_loaded'])) {
     $elements += element_info($elements['#type']);
+    // common values for all elements
+    $elements += array(
+      '#required' => FALSE,
+      '#attributes' => array(),
+      '#title_display' => 'before',
+    );
   }
 
   // Make any final changes to the element before it is rendered. This means