diff --git a/frictionless/schema/field.py b/frictionless/schema/field.py
index e199afe3b7..38b1a137b7 100644
--- a/frictionless/schema/field.py
+++ b/frictionless/schema/field.py
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ def metadata_validate(cls, descriptor: IDescriptor):  # type: ignore
             type = descriptor.get("type")
             Class = system.select_field_class(type)
             field = Class(
-                name=descriptor.get("name"), format=descriptor.get("format", None)  # type: ignore
+                name=descriptor.get("name"), format=descriptor.get("format", "default")  # type: ignore
             )
             _, notes = field.read_cell(example)
             if notes is not None: