diff --git a/src/config.c b/src/config.c
index 8ff7d548c..f38b5aa2c 100644
--- a/src/config.c
+++ b/src/config.c
@@ -1840,6 +1840,8 @@ config_load(void)
         cassette_pcm          = 0;
         cassette_ui_writeprot = 0;
 
+        lang_id = DEFAULT_LANGUAGE;
+
         config_log("Config file not present or invalid!\n");
     } else {
         load_general();                 /* General */
diff --git a/src/include/86box/86box.h b/src/include/86box/86box.h
index 61de69cf3..ddca937f1 100644
--- a/src/include/86box/86box.h
+++ b/src/include/86box/86box.h
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
 #define MAX_UUID_LEN 64
 
 /* Default language 0xFFFF = from system, 0x409 = en-US */
-#define DEFAULT_LANGUAGE 0x0409
+#define DEFAULT_LANGUAGE 0xffff
 
 #define POSTCARDS_NUM 4
 #define POSTCARD_MASK (POSTCARDS_NUM - 1)