diff --git a/src/mapdata.cpp b/src/mapdata.cpp
index 48c08086de0ff..51908adb959e0 100644
--- a/src/mapdata.cpp
+++ b/src/mapdata.cpp
@@ -1255,7 +1255,7 @@ void furn_t::load( const JsonObject &jo, const std::string &src )
     optional( jo, was_loaded, "bonus_fire_warmth_feet", bonus_fire_warmth_feet, 300 );
     optional( jo, was_loaded, "keg_capacity", keg_capacity, legacy_volume_reader, 0_ml );
     mandatory( jo, was_loaded, "required_str", move_str_req );
-    optional( jo, was_loaded, "max_volume", max_volume, volume_reader(), 0_ml );
+    optional( jo, was_loaded, "max_volume", max_volume, volume_reader(), DEFAULT_MAX_VOLUME_IN_SQUARE );
     optional( jo, was_loaded, "crafting_pseudo_item", crafting_pseudo_item, "" );
     optional( jo, was_loaded, "deployed_item", deployed_item );
     load_symbol( jo );