diff --git a/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php b/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php
index 206d9641bd..5a9770a676 100644
--- a/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php
+++ b/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php
@@ -3599,6 +3599,7 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 
 		$custom_css_setting = new WP_Customize_Custom_CSS_Setting( $this, sprintf( 'custom_css[%s]', get_stylesheet() ), array(
 			'capability' => 'unfiltered_css',
+			'default' => sprintf( "/*\n%s\n*/", __( "You can add your own CSS here.\n\nClick the help icon above to learn more." ) ),
 		) );
 		$this->add_setting( $custom_css_setting );
 
@@ -3606,9 +3607,6 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 			'type'     => 'textarea',
 			'section'  => 'custom_css',
 			'settings' => array( 'default' => $custom_css_setting->id ),
-			'input_attrs' => array(
-				'placeholder' => __( "/*\nYou can add your own CSS here.\n\nClick the help icon above to learn more.\n*/" ),
-			)
 		) );
 	}
 
diff --git a/wp-includes/customize/class-wp-customize-custom-css-setting.php b/wp-includes/customize/class-wp-customize-custom-css-setting.php
index 2015458119..17e01fc6a5 100644
--- a/wp-includes/customize/class-wp-customize-custom-css-setting.php
+++ b/wp-includes/customize/class-wp-customize-custom-css-setting.php
@@ -128,7 +128,11 @@ final class WP_Customize_Custom_CSS_Setting extends WP_Customize_Setting {
 	 * @return string
 	 */
 	public function value() {
-		return wp_get_custom_css( $this->stylesheet );
+		$value = wp_get_custom_css( $this->stylesheet );
+		if ( empty( $value ) ) {
+			$value = $this->default;
+		}
+		return $value;
 	}
 
 	/**
diff --git a/wp-includes/version.php b/wp-includes/version.php
index d934c047ae..3cb9a94a8a 100644
--- a/wp-includes/version.php
+++ b/wp-includes/version.php
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  *
  * @global string $wp_version
  */
-$wp_version = '4.7-beta2-39150';
+$wp_version = '4.7-beta2-39151';
 
 /**
  * Holds the WordPress DB revision, increments when changes are made to the WordPress DB schema.