diff --git a/src/devices/machine/ram.cpp b/src/devices/machine/ram.cpp
index d1cc4dc8328..40b361bdc6a 100644
--- a/src/devices/machine/ram.cpp
+++ b/src/devices/machine/ram.cpp
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ RAM device
 Provides a configurable amount of RAM to drivers
 
 TODO:
-- default fill value of 0xCD makes no sense
 - add RAM size options to UI, eg. under Machine Configuration
 - remove limitations due to hardcoded RAM_TAG:
   + *configurable* RAM device can only be added to root device
@@ -125,7 +124,7 @@ ram_device::ram_device(const machine_config &mconfig, const char *tag, device_t
 	: device_t(mconfig, RAM, tag, owner, clock)
 	, m_size(0)
 	, m_default_size(0)
-	, m_default_value(0xCD)
+	, m_default_value(0xff)
 	, m_extra_options_string(nullptr)
 {
 }
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/lc80.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/lc80.cpp
index 122cdb30fad..09329bf7d02 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/lc80.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/lc80.cpp
@@ -384,7 +384,6 @@ void lc80_state::lc80(machine_config &config)
 
 	RAM(config, m_ram).set_extra_options("1K,2K,3K,4K");
 	m_ram->set_default_size("1K");
-	m_ram->set_default_value(0xff);
 }
 
 void lc80_state::lc80a(machine_config &config)