diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/course_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/course_module.py
index f3d18eb8be81..51bfa4f2cac7 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/course_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/course_module.py
@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ class CourseFields(object):
         ),
         scope=Scope.settings,
         # Ensure that courses imported from XML keep their image
-        default="images_course_image.jpg"
+        default=""
     )
     issue_badges = Boolean(
         display_name=_("Issue Open Badges"),