diff --git a/buzz/model_loader.py b/buzz/model_loader.py
index 2eaedac742..e31d2df087 100644
--- a/buzz/model_loader.py
+++ b/buzz/model_loader.py
@@ -124,6 +124,13 @@ def open_file_location(self):
             return
         self.open_path(path=os.path.dirname(model_path))
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def default():
+        model_type = next(
+            model_type for model_type in ModelType if model_type.is_available()
+        )
+        return TranscriptionModel(model_type=model_type)
+
     @staticmethod
     def open_path(path: str):
         if sys.platform == "win32":
diff --git a/buzz/widgets/preferences_dialog/models/file_transcription_preferences.py b/buzz/widgets/preferences_dialog/models/file_transcription_preferences.py
index f3749f3d06..077df80b7a 100644
--- a/buzz/widgets/preferences_dialog/models/file_transcription_preferences.py
+++ b/buzz/widgets/preferences_dialog/models/file_transcription_preferences.py
@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@ def save(self, settings: QSettings) -> None:
     def load(cls, settings: QSettings) -> "FileTranscriptionPreferences":
         language = settings.value("language", None)
         task = settings.value("task", Task.TRANSCRIBE)
-        model = settings.value("model", TranscriptionModel())
+        model: TranscriptionModel = settings.value(
+            "model", TranscriptionModel.default()
+        )
         word_level_timings = settings.value("word_level_timings", False)
         temperature = settings.value("temperature", DEFAULT_WHISPER_TEMPERATURE)
         initial_prompt = settings.value("initial_prompt", "")
@@ -47,7 +49,9 @@ def load(cls, settings: QSettings) -> "FileTranscriptionPreferences":
         return FileTranscriptionPreferences(
             language=language,
             task=task,
-            model=model,
+            model=model
+            if model.model_type.is_available()
+            else TranscriptionModel.default(),
             word_level_timings=word_level_timings,
             temperature=temperature,
             initial_prompt=initial_prompt,
diff --git a/buzz/widgets/transcriber/file_transcriber_widget.py b/buzz/widgets/transcriber/file_transcriber_widget.py
index bef88e7ec2..29e749237d 100644
--- a/buzz/widgets/transcriber/file_transcriber_widget.py
+++ b/buzz/widgets/transcriber/file_transcriber_widget.py
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.file_paths = file_paths
 
         preferences = self.load_preferences()
+        print(preferences)
 
         (
             self.transcription_options,
diff --git a/tests/widgets/preferences_dialog/folder_watch_preferences_widget_test.py b/tests/widgets/preferences_dialog/folder_watch_preferences_widget_test.py
index d19d43fb48..212ba173a2 100644
--- a/tests/widgets/preferences_dialog/folder_watch_preferences_widget_test.py
+++ b/tests/widgets/preferences_dialog/folder_watch_preferences_widget_test.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def test_edit_folder_watch_preferences(self, qtbot):
                 file_transcription_options=FileTranscriptionPreferences(
                     language=None,
                     task=Task.TRANSCRIBE,
-                    model=TranscriptionModel(),
+                    model=TranscriptionModel.default(),
                     word_level_timings=False,
                     temperature=DEFAULT_WHISPER_TEMPERATURE,
                     initial_prompt="",
diff --git a/tests/widgets/preferences_dialog/models_preferences_widget_test.py b/tests/widgets/preferences_dialog/models_preferences_widget_test.py
index 48e1f17c53..3571f984fb 100644
--- a/tests/widgets/preferences_dialog/models_preferences_widget_test.py
+++ b/tests/widgets/preferences_dialog/models_preferences_widget_test.py
@@ -89,11 +89,7 @@ def downloaded_model():
 
     @pytest.fixture(scope="class")
     def default_model_path(self) -> str:
-        model_type = next(
-            model_type for model_type in ModelType if model_type.is_available()
-        )
-        model = TranscriptionModel(model_type=model_type)
-        return get_model_path(transcription_model=model)
+        return get_model_path(transcription_model=(TranscriptionModel.default()))
 
     def test_should_show_downloaded_model(self, qtbot, default_model_path):
         widget = ModelsPreferencesWidget()