diff --git a/rest_framework/metadata.py b/rest_framework/metadata.py
index 410acd0e2..fa9b0e0c6 100644
--- a/rest_framework/metadata.py
+++ b/rest_framework/metadata.py
@@ -124,12 +124,13 @@ class SimpleMetadata(BaseMetadata):
         attrs = [
             'read_only', 'label', 'help_text',
             'min_length', 'max_length',
-            'min_value', 'max_value'
+            'min_value', 'max_value',
+            'initial'
         ]
 
         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 != []:
                 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 a9d2dc0c9..0c92613ee 100644
--- a/tests/test_metadata.py
+++ b/tests/test_metadata.py
@@ -77,7 +77,8 @@ 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,
+                initial='initial value'
             )
             list_field = serializers.ListField(
                 child=serializers.ListField(
@@ -136,7 +137,8 @@ class TestMetadata:
                         'read_only': False,
                         'label': 'Char field',
                         'min_length': 3,
-                        'max_length': 40
+                        'max_length': 40,
+                        'initial': 'initial value'
                     },
                     'list_field': {
                         'type': 'list',