diff --git a/rest_framework/metadata.py b/rest_framework/metadata.py
index 6c4f17692..f20d4c81b 100644
--- a/rest_framework/metadata.py
+++ b/rest_framework/metadata.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from django.http import Http404
 from django.utils.encoding import force_text
 
 from rest_framework import exceptions, serializers
+from rest_framework.fields import empty
 from rest_framework.request import clone_request
 from rest_framework.utils.field_mapping import ClassLookupDict
 
@@ -123,13 +124,13 @@ class SimpleMetadata(BaseMetadata):
 
         attrs = [
             'read_only', 'label', 'help_text',
-            'min_length', 'max_length',
+            'min_length', 'max_length', 'default',
             'min_value', 'max_value'
         ]
 
         for attr in attrs:
             value = getattr(field, attr, None)
-            if value is not None and value != '':
+            if value is not None and value != '' and value != empty:
                 field_info[attr] = force_text(value, strings_only=True)
 
         if getattr(field, 'child', None):
diff --git a/tests/test_metadata.py b/tests/test_metadata.py
index 6819f1504..1529fd583 100644
--- a/tests/test_metadata.py
+++ b/tests/test_metadata.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class TestMetadata:
                 min_value=1, max_value=1000
             )
             char_field = serializers.CharField(
-                required=False, min_length=3, max_length=40
+                required=False, min_length=3, max_length=40, default='Cookie'
             )
             list_field = serializers.ListField(
                 child=serializers.ListField(
@@ -128,7 +128,8 @@ class TestMetadata:
                         'read_only': False,
                         'label': 'Char field',
                         'min_length': 3,
-                        'max_length': 40
+                        'max_length': 40,
+                        'default': 'Cookie'
                     },
                     'list_field': {
                         'type': 'list',