diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index ea2364c2..8c43dd87 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+   - fixed bug with default modifier when passing integer 0
+     (Monte)
    - change backtic syntax from $`foo` to `$foo` (Monte)
    - recognize $foo[][] syntax inside embedded quotes without
      backtics (Monte)
diff --git a/libs/plugins/modifier.default.php b/libs/plugins/modifier.default.php
index ad4e842d..e92b457a 100644
--- a/libs/plugins/modifier.default.php
+++ b/libs/plugins/modifier.default.php
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
  */
 function smarty_modifier_default($string, $default = '')
 {
-    if (!isset($string) || $string == '')
+    if (!isset($string) || $string === '')
         return $default;
     else
         return $string;