diff --git a/doc/release-notes.md b/doc/release-notes.md
--- a/doc/release-notes.md
+++ b/doc/release-notes.md
@@ -5,3 +5,5 @@
 This release includes the following features and fixes:
  - Wallets loaded dynamically through the RPC interface may now be displayed in
    the bitcoin-qt GUI.
+ - The default wallet will now be labeled `[default wallet]` in the bitcoin-qt
+   GUI if no name is provided by the `-wallet` option on start up.
diff --git a/src/qt/bitcoingui.h b/src/qt/bitcoingui.h
--- a/src/qt/bitcoingui.h
+++ b/src/qt/bitcoingui.h
@@ -198,6 +198,7 @@
 
 #ifdef ENABLE_WALLET
     bool setCurrentWallet(const QString &name);
+    bool setCurrentWalletBySelectorIndex(int index);
     /** Set the UI status indicators based on the currently selected wallet.
      */
     void updateWalletStatus();
diff --git a/src/qt/bitcoingui.cpp b/src/qt/bitcoingui.cpp
--- a/src/qt/bitcoingui.cpp
+++ b/src/qt/bitcoingui.cpp
@@ -503,8 +503,8 @@
         toolbar->addWidget(spacer);
 
         m_wallet_selector = new QComboBox();
-        connect(m_wallet_selector, SIGNAL(currentIndexChanged(const QString &)),
-                this, SLOT(setCurrentWallet(const QString &)));
+        connect(m_wallet_selector, SIGNAL(currentIndexChanged(int)), this,
+                SLOT(setCurrentWalletBySelectorIndex(int)));
 #endif
     }
 }
@@ -582,8 +582,10 @@
 bool BitcoinGUI::addWallet(WalletModel *walletModel) {
     if (!walletFrame) return false;
     const QString name = walletModel->getWalletName();
+    QString display_name =
+        name.isEmpty() ? "[" + tr("default wallet") + "]" : name;
     setWalletActionsEnabled(true);
-    m_wallet_selector->addItem(name);
+    m_wallet_selector->addItem(display_name, name);
     if (m_wallet_selector->count() == 2) {
         m_wallet_selector_label = new QLabel();
         m_wallet_selector_label->setText(tr("Wallet:") + " ");
@@ -600,6 +602,11 @@
     return walletFrame->setCurrentWallet(name);
 }
 
+bool BitcoinGUI::setCurrentWalletBySelectorIndex(int index) {
+    QString internal_name = m_wallet_selector->itemData(index).toString();
+    return setCurrentWallet(internal_name);
+}
+
 void BitcoinGUI::removeAllWallets() {
     if (!walletFrame) return;
     setWalletActionsEnabled(false);
diff --git a/src/qt/rpcconsole.cpp b/src/qt/rpcconsole.cpp
--- a/src/qt/rpcconsole.cpp
+++ b/src/qt/rpcconsole.cpp
@@ -821,7 +821,9 @@
     const QString name = walletModel->getWalletName();
     // use name for text and internal data object (to allow to move to a wallet
     // id later)
-    ui->WalletSelector->addItem(name, name);
+    QString display_name =
+        name.isEmpty() ? "[" + tr("default wallet") + "]" : name;
+    ui->WalletSelector->addItem(display_name, name);
     if (ui->WalletSelector->count() == 2 && !isVisible()) {
         // First wallet added, set to default so long as the window isn't
         // presently visible (and potentially in use)