diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/App.java b/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/App.java
index e3e9c3e4ebe..af118387caa 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/App.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/App.java
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ protected void setCookiesToDownloader(final DownloaderImpl downloader) {
         final SharedPreferences prefs = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(
                 getApplicationContext());
         final String key = getApplicationContext().getString(R.string.recaptcha_cookies_key);
-        downloader.setCookie(ReCaptchaActivity.RECAPTCHA_COOKIES_KEY, prefs.getString(key, ""));
+        downloader.setCookie(ReCaptchaActivity.RECAPTCHA_COOKIES_KEY, prefs.getString(key, null));
         downloader.updateYoutubeRestrictedModeCookies(getApplicationContext());
     }