diff --git a/lib/locomotive/steam/adapters/filesystem/sanitizers/section.rb b/lib/locomotive/steam/adapters/filesystem/sanitizers/section.rb
index 633375de..b5fa1ee7 100644
--- a/lib/locomotive/steam/adapters/filesystem/sanitizers/section.rb
+++ b/lib/locomotive/steam/adapters/filesystem/sanitizers/section.rb
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def set_default_values(definition)
             settings = content['settings'] ||= {}
 
             definition['settings'].each do |setting|
-              settings[setting['id']] ||= setting['default']
+              settings[setting['id']] = setting['default'] if settings[setting['id']].nil?
             end
 
             # no definition of blocks, no need to continue