diff --git a/include/SDL_hints.h b/include/SDL_hints.h
index 7703095c5..b8da07732 100644
--- a/include/SDL_hints.h
+++ b/include/SDL_hints.h
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ extern "C" {
  *    "0"       - Report the face buttons by position, as though they were on an Xbox controller.
  *    "1"       - Report the face buttons by label instead of position
  *
- *  The default value is "0".  This hint may be set at any time.
+ *  The default value is "1".  This hint may be set at any time.
  */
 #define SDL_HINT_GAMECONTROLLER_USE_BUTTON_LABELS "SDL_GAMECONTROLLER_USE_BUTTON_LABELS"
 
diff --git a/src/joystick/hidapi/SDL_hidapi_switch.c b/src/joystick/hidapi/SDL_hidapi_switch.c
index b3c023ab6..3d084bf3d 100644
--- a/src/joystick/hidapi/SDL_hidapi_switch.c
+++ b/src/joystick/hidapi/SDL_hidapi_switch.c
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ static Sint16 ApplyStickCalibration(SDL_DriverSwitch_Context *ctx, int nStick, i
 static void SDLCALL SDL_GameControllerButtonReportingHintChanged(void *userdata, const char *name, const char *oldValue, const char *hint)
 {
     SDL_DriverSwitch_Context *ctx = (SDL_DriverSwitch_Context *)userdata;
-    ctx->m_bUseButtonLabels = (hint && *hint != '0' && SDL_strcasecmp(hint, "false") != 0);
+    ctx->m_bUseButtonLabels = (!hint || !*hint || ((*hint != '0') && (SDL_strcasecmp(hint, "false") != 0)));
 }
 
 static Uint8 RemapButton(SDL_DriverSwitch_Context *ctx, Uint8 button)