diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py b/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py
index 81b4a303e..bdfa26f47 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py
@@ -406,7 +406,9 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
         self.form.searchEdit.lineEdit().setPlaceholderText(
             tr.browsing_search_bar_hint()
         )
-        self.form.searchEdit.addItems([""] + self.mw.pm.profile.get("searchHistory"))
+        self.form.searchEdit.addItems(
+            [""] + self.mw.pm.profile.get("searchHistory", [])
+        )
         if search is not None:
             self.search_for_terms(*search)
         else:
@@ -451,7 +453,7 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
             showWarning(str(err))
 
     def update_history(self) -> None:
-        sh = self.mw.pm.profile.get("searchHistory")
+        sh = self.mw.pm.profile.get("searchHistory", [])
         if self._lastSearchTxt in sh:
             sh.remove(self._lastSearchTxt)
         sh.insert(0, self._lastSearchTxt)
diff --git a/qt/aqt/profiles.py b/qt/aqt/profiles.py
index fa6a21bb5..c15cbffce 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/profiles.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/profiles.py
@@ -632,10 +632,10 @@ create table if not exists profiles
         self.profile["hostNum"] = val or 0
 
     def media_syncing_enabled(self) -> bool:
-        return self.profile.get("syncMedia")
+        return self.profile.get("syncMedia", True)
 
     def auto_syncing_enabled(self) -> bool:
-        return self.profile.get("autoSync")
+        return self.profile.get("autoSync", True)
 
     def sync_auth(self) -> SyncAuth | None:
         if not (hkey := self.profile.get("syncKey")):