diff --git a/ArduSub/Parameters.cpp b/ArduSub/Parameters.cpp
index 93184e5ff3..e8e7aad5eb 100644
--- a/ArduSub/Parameters.cpp
+++ b/ArduSub/Parameters.cpp
@@ -699,6 +699,7 @@ void Sub::load_parameters()
         g.format_version.set_and_save(Parameters::k_format_version);
         hal.console->println("done.");
     }
+    g.format_version.set_default(Parameters::k_format_version);
 
     uint32_t before = AP_HAL::micros();
     // Load all auto-loaded EEPROM variables