diff --git a/adafruit_display_text/label.py b/adafruit_display_text/label.py
index 64730b6..1f4256d 100755
--- a/adafruit_display_text/label.py
+++ b/adafruit_display_text/label.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def __init__(
         *,
         x=0,
         y=0,
-        text=None,
+        text="",
         max_glyphs=None,
         color=0xFFFFFF,
         background_color=None,