diff --git a/calibre-plugin/prefs.py b/calibre-plugin/prefs.py
index f15daf13a..616cdf2bc 100644
--- a/calibre-plugin/prefs.py
+++ b/calibre-plugin/prefs.py
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@
 default_prefs['last_saved_version'] = (0,0,0)
 default_prefs['personal.ini'] = get_resources('plugin-example.ini')
 default_prefs['cal_cols_pass_in'] = False
+default_prefs['rejecturls'] = '' # removed, but need empty default for fallback
 default_prefs['rejectreasons'] = '''Sucked
 Boring
 Dup from another site'''