diff --git a/lib/WebGUI/Commerce/Payment/ITransact.pm b/lib/WebGUI/Commerce/Payment/ITransact.pm
index 684317cca..fd1e116fa 100644
--- a/lib/WebGUI/Commerce/Payment/ITransact.pm
+++ b/lib/WebGUI/Commerce/Payment/ITransact.pm
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ sub checkoutForm {
 	$f->selectBox(
 		-name=>"country",
 		-label=>$i18n->get("country"),
-		-value=>($self->session->form->process("country") || $u->profileField("homeCountry")),
+		-value=>($self->session->form->process("country") || $u->profileField("homeCountry")) || 'United States'),
 		-options=>\%countries
 		);
     #For some odd reason, defaultValue needs to come before value here or value displays the text "-defaultValue".  Bug is reported.