diff --git a/app/controllers/discussions_controller.rb b/app/controllers/discussions_controller.rb
index 2036e859..67779eeb 100644
--- a/app/controllers/discussions_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/discussions_controller.rb
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def index
   end
 
   def popular
-    @days = params[:days].to_i
+    @days = (params[:days] || 7).to_i
     @days = 180 if @days > 180
     @exchanges = Discussion.popular_in_the_last(@days.days)
                            .viewable_by(current_user).page(params[:page])