--- a/browser/components/preferences/in-content/main.js
+++ b/browser/components/preferences/in-content/main.js
@@ -249,17 +249,17 @@ var gMainPane = {
     // placeholder text (about:home title).
     if (homePref.value.toLowerCase() == "about:home")
       return "";
 
     // If the pref is actually "", show about:blank.  The actual home page
     // loading code treats them the same, and we don't want the placeholder text
     // to be shown.
     if (homePref.value == "")
-      return "about:blank";
+      return "about:newtab";
 
     // Otherwise, show the actual pref value.
     return undefined;
   },
 
   syncToHomePref: function (value)
   {
     // If the value is "", use about:home.