diff --git a/modules/build-date.xml b/modules/build-date.xml
index 25d8a6a..7f89d70 100755
--- a/modules/build-date.xml
+++ b/modules/build-date.xml
@@ -106,16 +106,16 @@
 				<xsl:when test="( @style = 'footer' ) and ( /document/@auto-latex-build-date = 'no' )" />
 				<xsl:otherwise>
 					<xsl:call-template name="build-date-internal">
-						<xsl:with-param name="format" select="@format" />
-						<xsl:with-param name="style" select="@style" />
+						<xsl:with-param name="format" select="if ( @format ) then @format else 'short'" />
+						<xsl:with-param name="style" select="if ( @style ) then @style else 'inline'" />
 					</xsl:call-template>
 				</xsl:otherwise>
 			</xsl:choose>
 		</common>
 		<common formats="/latex/xelatex/">
 			<xsl:call-template name="build-date-internal">
-				<xsl:with-param name="format" select="@format" />
-				<xsl:with-param name="style" select="@style" />
+				<xsl:with-param name="format" select="if ( @format ) then @format else 'short'" />
+				<xsl:with-param name="style" select="if ( @style ) then @style else 'inline'" />
 			</xsl:call-template>
 		</common>
 	</template>