diff --git a/includes/form.inc b/includes/form.inc
index 40363d6..185ff92 100644
--- a/includes/form.inc
+++ b/includes/form.inc
@@ -3709,12 +3709,13 @@ function theme_form($variables) {
  *   An associative array containing:
  *   - element: An associative array containing the properties of the element.
  *     Properties used: #title, #value, #description, #rows, #cols,
- *     #placeholder, #required, #attributes
+ *     #placeholder, #required, #attributes, #value
  *
  * @ingroup themeable
  */
 function theme_textarea($variables) {
   $element = $variables['element'];
+  $element['#value'] = isset($element['#value']) ? $element['#value'] : '';
   element_set_attributes($element, array('id', 'name', 'rows', 'cols', 'placeholder'));
   _form_set_class($element, array('form-textarea'));