diff --git a/includes/class-wc-countries.php b/includes/class-wc-countries.php
index ebed1241232..2b44981f0ab 100644
--- a/includes/class-wc-countries.php
+++ b/includes/class-wc-countries.php
@@ -1216,10 +1216,10 @@ class WC_Countries {
 
 		// Add email and phone fields.
 		if ( 'billing_' === $type ) {
-			if ( 'hidden' !== get_option( 'woocommerce_checkout_phone_field', 'optional' ) ) {
+			if ( 'hidden' !== get_option( 'woocommerce_checkout_phone_field', 'required' ) ) {
 				$address_fields['billing_phone'] = array(
 					'label'        => __( 'Phone', 'woocommerce' ),
-					'required'     => 'required' === get_option( 'woocommerce_checkout_phone_field', 'optional' ),
+					'required'     => 'required' === get_option( 'woocommerce_checkout_phone_field', 'required' ),
 					'type'         => 'tel',
 					'class'        => array( 'form-row-wide' ),
 					'validate'     => array( 'phone' ),
diff --git a/includes/customizer/class-wc-shop-customizer.php b/includes/customizer/class-wc-shop-customizer.php
index 7a8afcd5678..a2b09ac221c 100644
--- a/includes/customizer/class-wc-shop-customizer.php
+++ b/includes/customizer/class-wc-shop-customizer.php
@@ -708,7 +708,7 @@ class WC_Shop_Customizer {
 			$wp_customize->add_setting(
 				'woocommerce_checkout_' . $field . '_field',
 				array(
-					'default'           => 'optional',
+					'default'           => 'phone' === $field ? 'required' : 'optional',
 					'type'              => 'option',
 					'capability'        => 'manage_woocommerce',
 					'sanitize_callback' => array( $this, 'sanitize_checkout_field_display' ),