diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d4c4b8c9..11dee913 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ Parameters
   * You may provide fewer values than the data dimension. In that case, the list will be expanded to necessary size with the last value, for example `64`, will expand to `64,64,64` for 3D data.
 * `Create Pyramid` - If checked, a multiscale pyramid will be created (if possible). See below for details.
 * `Downsampling method` - The downsampling method to be used if a multiscale pyramid can be created. See below for details.
-* `Compression` - The compression method to be used for chucnks / blocks. 
+* `Compression` - The compression method to be used for chunks / blocks. 
 * `metadata type` - style and type of metadata to store (see also [Metadata](#metadata))
 * `Thread count` - number of threads used for parallel writing (see also [Cloud writing benchmarks](#cloud-writing-benchmarks))
 * `Overwrite` - If checked, existing data may be deleted and overwritten without warning.
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/janelia/saalfeldlab/n5/ui/ImprovedFormattedTextField.java b/src/main/java/org/janelia/saalfeldlab/n5/ui/ImprovedFormattedTextField.java
index ef4ec10b..ae89d386 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/janelia/saalfeldlab/n5/ui/ImprovedFormattedTextField.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/janelia/saalfeldlab/n5/ui/ImprovedFormattedTextField.java
@@ -67,8 +67,9 @@ public ImprovedFormattedTextField(AbstractFormatter formatter) {
 	public ImprovedFormattedTextField(AbstractFormatter formatter, Object aValue) {
 
 		this(formatter);
+		String strValue = aValue instanceof String ? (String)aValue : "";
 		try {
-			setValue(new URI(""));
+			setValue(new URI(strValue));
 		} catch (URISyntaxException e) { 
 			e.printStackTrace();
 		}