diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/get_started/profile.html b/bookwyrm/templates/get_started/profile.html
index b26bd9150..90cdb4104 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/get_started/profile.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/get_started/profile.html
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
                 </div>
                 <div class="block">
                     <label class="label" for="id_summary">{% trans "Summary:" %}</label>
-                    <textarea name="summary" cols="None" rows="None" class="textarea" id="id_summary" placeholder="{% trans 'A little bit about you' %}" value="{{ request.user.summary }}"></textarea>
+                    <textarea name="summary" cols="None" rows="None" class="textarea" id="id_summary" placeholder="{% trans 'A little bit about you' %}">{% if request.user.summary %}{{ request.user.summary }}{% endif %}</textarea>
                     {% for error in form.summary.errors %}
                     <p class="help is-danger">{{ error | escape }}</p>
                     {% endfor %}
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
         <div class="block">
             <label class="checkbox label" for="id_discoverable">
                 {% trans "Show this account in suggested users:" %}
-                <input type="checkbox" name="discoverable" class="checkbox" id="id_discoverable" checked>
+                <input type="checkbox" name="discoverable" class="checkbox" id="id_discoverable" value="{{ request.user.discoverable }}">
             </label>
             {% url 'directory' as path %}
             <p class="help">{% trans "Your account will show up in the directory, and may be recommended to other BookWyrm users." %}</p>