diff --git a/cura/Machines/MaterialManager.py b/cura/Machines/MaterialManager.py
index 160508e7a6..68e894642d 100644
--- a/cura/Machines/MaterialManager.py
+++ b/cura/Machines/MaterialManager.py
@@ -649,10 +649,9 @@ class MaterialManager(QObject):
         extruder_stack = machine_manager.activeStack
 
         machine_definition = self._application.getGlobalContainerStack().definition
-        preferred_material = machine_definition.getMetaDataEntry("preferred_material")
+        root_material_id = machine_definition.getMetaDataEntry("preferred_material", default = "generic_pla")
 
         approximate_diameter = str(extruder_stack.approximateMaterialDiameter)
-        root_material_id = preferred_material if preferred_material else "generic_pla"
         root_material_id = self.getRootMaterialIDForDiameter(root_material_id, approximate_diameter)
         material_group = self.getMaterialGroup(root_material_id)