diff --git a/src/load_map.cpp b/src/load_map.cpp
index 9a76758f5..d736b304f 100644
--- a/src/load_map.cpp
+++ b/src/load_map.cpp
@@ -891,7 +891,7 @@ namespace mapnik
                     get_attr<label_placement_e>(sym, "placement", POINT_PLACEMENT);
             text_symbol.set_label_placement( placement );
             // vertical alignment
-            vertical_alignment_e valign = get_attr<vertical_alignment_e>(sym, "vertical_alignment", BOTTOM);
+            vertical_alignment_e valign = get_attr<vertical_alignment_e>(sym, "vertical_alignment", MIDDLE);
             text_symbol.set_vertical_alignment(valign);
 
             // halo fill and radius
@@ -1143,7 +1143,7 @@ namespace mapnik
                 }
 
                 // vertical alignment
-                vertical_alignment_e valign = get_attr<vertical_alignment_e>(sym, "vertical_alignment", BOTTOM);
+                vertical_alignment_e valign = get_attr<vertical_alignment_e>(sym, "vertical_alignment", MIDDLE);
                 shield_symbol.set_vertical_alignment(valign);
 
                 // horizontal alignment
diff --git a/src/text_symbolizer.cpp b/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
index 73954a330..6815305d7 100644
--- a/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ text_symbolizer::text_symbolizer(expression_ptr name, std::string const& face_na
       halo_fill_(color(255,255,255)),
       halo_radius_(0),
       label_p_(POINT_PLACEMENT),
-      valign_(BOTTOM),
+      valign_(MIDDLE),
       anchor_(0.0,0.5),
       displacement_(0.0,0.0),
       avoid_edges_(false),
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ text_symbolizer::text_symbolizer(expression_ptr name, unsigned size, color const
       halo_fill_(color(255,255,255)),
       halo_radius_(0),
       label_p_(POINT_PLACEMENT),
-      valign_(BOTTOM),
+      valign_(MIDDLE),
       anchor_(0.0,0.5),
       displacement_(0.0,0.0),
       avoid_edges_(false),