--- a/Allura/allura/lib/widgets/discuss.py
+++ b/Allura/allura/lib/widgets/discuss.py
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
                         ew.Option(py_value='spam', label='Spam'),
                         ew.Option(py_value='pending', label='Pending moderation'),
                         ew.Option(py_value='ok', label='Ok')],
-                    if_missing='-'),
+                    if_missing='pending'),
                 ew.IntField(name='flag',
                             label='Show posts with at least "n" flags',
                             css_class='text',