diff --git a/lib/classes/databox/field.class.php b/lib/classes/databox/field.class.php
index 2c9f003fd3..f08f639d2b 100644
--- a/lib/classes/databox/field.class.php
+++ b/lib/classes/databox/field.class.php
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ class databox_field implements cache_cacheableInterface
     $this->required = !!$row['required'];
     $this->multi = !!$row['multi'];
     $this->report = !!$row['report'];
-    $this->type = $row['type'];
+    $this->type = $row['type'] ?: self::TYPE_STRING;
     $this->tbranch = $row['tbranch'];
     if ($row['dces_element'])
     {