diff --git a/kstore/src/commonMain/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KStore.kt b/kstore/src/commonMain/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KStore.kt
index 660bf87..c9b5c62 100644
--- a/kstore/src/commonMain/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KStore.kt
+++ b/kstore/src/commonMain/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KStore.kt
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ class KStore<T : @Serializable Any>(
   }
 
   private suspend fun read(fromCache: Boolean): T? {
-    if (fromCache && stateFlow.value != null) return stateFlow.value
+    if (fromCache && stateFlow.value != default) return stateFlow.value
     val decoded: T? = try { decoder.invoke() } catch (e: Exception) { null }
     val emitted: T? = decoded ?: default
     stateFlow.emit(emitted)
diff --git a/kstore/src/commonTest/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KListStoreTests.kt b/kstore/src/commonTest/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KListStoreTests.kt
index b50aa6b..c8bbe9a 100644
--- a/kstore/src/commonTest/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KListStoreTests.kt
+++ b/kstore/src/commonTest/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KListStoreTests.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(ExperimentalCoroutinesApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(ExperimentalCoroutinesApi::class, ExperimentalSerializationApi::class)
 
 package io.github.xxfast.kstore
 
@@ -6,7 +6,12 @@ import app.cash.turbine.test
 import io.github.xxfast.kstore.utils.FILE_SYSTEM
 import kotlinx.coroutines.ExperimentalCoroutinesApi
 import kotlinx.coroutines.test.runTest
+import kotlinx.serialization.ExperimentalSerializationApi
+import kotlinx.serialization.json.Json
+import kotlinx.serialization.json.okio.encodeToBufferedSink
 import okio.Path.Companion.toPath
+import okio.buffer
+import okio.use
 import kotlin.test.AfterTest
 import kotlin.test.Test
 import kotlin.test.assertEquals
@@ -43,6 +48,16 @@ class KListStoreTests {
     assertEquals(expect, actual)
   }
 
+  @Test
+  fun testReadPreviouslyStoredList() = runTest {
+    FILE_SYSTEM.sink(filePath.toPath()).buffer().use { Json.encodeToBufferedSink(listOf(OREO) , it) }
+    // Mylo will never be sent 😿 because there is already a stored value
+    val newStore: KStore<List<Cat>> = listStoreOf(filePath = filePath, default = listOf(MYLO))
+    val expect: List<Cat> = listOf(OREO)
+    val actual: List<Cat> = newStore.getOrEmpty()
+    assertEquals(expect, actual)
+  }
+
   @Test
   fun testPlus() = runTest {
     store.plus(OREO)
diff --git a/kstore/src/commonTest/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KStoreTests.kt b/kstore/src/commonTest/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KStoreTests.kt
index 7d2dcc1..8301a65 100644
--- a/kstore/src/commonTest/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KStoreTests.kt
+++ b/kstore/src/commonTest/kotlin/io/github/xxfast/kstore/KStoreTests.kt
@@ -79,6 +79,16 @@ class KStoreTests {
     assertEquals(expect, actual)
   }
 
+  @Test
+  fun testReadPreviouslyStoredWithDefault() = runTest {
+    FILE_SYSTEM.sink(filePath.toPath()).buffer().use { Json.encodeToBufferedSink(OREO, it) }
+    // Mylo will never be sent 😿 because there is already a stored value
+    val defaultStore: KStore<Cat> = storeOf(filePath = filePath, default = MYLO)
+    val expect: Pet = OREO
+    val actual: Pet? = defaultStore.get()
+    assertEquals(expect, actual)
+  }
+
   @Test
   fun testWrite() = runTest {
     store.set(MYLO)