diff --git a/graphql/schema/types/config.graphql b/graphql/schema/types/config.graphql
index 18ee52b8b..687dcd8b4 100644
--- a/graphql/schema/types/config.graphql
+++ b/graphql/schema/types/config.graphql
@@ -420,9 +420,10 @@ input ConfigInterfaceInput {
   "When true, disables all customizations (plugins, CSS, JavaScript, locales) for troubleshooting"
   disableCustomizations: Boolean
 
-  """Default gender to apply when creating a performer without explicit gender.
-  Send an empty string to clear the setting."""
-  defaultPerformerGender: String
+  "Default gender to apply when creating a performer without explicit gender"
+  defaultPerformerGender: GenderEnum
+  "Clear the stored default performer gender"
+  clearDefaultPerformerGender: Boolean
 
   "Interface language"
   language: String
diff --git a/internal/api/resolver_mutation_configure.go b/internal/api/resolver_mutation_configure.go
index c679b26fd..d677ec262 100644
--- a/internal/api/resolver_mutation_configure.go
+++ b/internal/api/resolver_mutation_configure.go
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"regexp"
 	"strconv"
-	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/stashapp/stash/internal/manager"
 	"github.com/stashapp/stash/internal/manager/config"
@@ -64,22 +63,22 @@ func (r *mutationResolver) setConfigString(key string, value *string) {
 }
 
 // applyDefaultPerformerGenderInput updates or clears DefaultPerformerGender.
-// Omit the field entirely (nil) to leave the stored value unchanged; send "" to clear it.
-func (r *mutationResolver) applyDefaultPerformerGenderInput(value *string) error {
+// Omit both fields to leave the stored value unchanged.
+func (r *mutationResolver) applyDefaultPerformerGenderInput(value *models.GenderEnum, clear *bool) error {
+	if clear != nil && *clear {
+		if value != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("cannot set and clear default performer gender in the same request")
+		}
+		config.GetInstance().SetString(config.DefaultPerformerGender, "")
+		return nil
+	}
 	if value == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
-	c := config.GetInstance()
-	s := strings.TrimSpace(*value)
-	if s == "" {
-		c.SetString(config.DefaultPerformerGender, "")
-		return nil
+	if !value.IsValid() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid default performer gender %q", *value)
 	}
-	g := models.GenderEnum(s)
-	if !g.IsValid() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("invalid default performer gender %q", s)
-	}
-	c.SetString(config.DefaultPerformerGender, s)
+	config.GetInstance().SetString(config.DefaultPerformerGender, value.String())
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -549,7 +548,7 @@ func (r *mutationResolver) ConfigureInterface(ctx context.Context, input ConfigI
 	r.setConfigBool(config.CustomLocalesEnabled, input.CustomLocalesEnabled)
 
 	r.setConfigBool(config.DisableCustomizations, input.DisableCustomizations)
-	if err := r.applyDefaultPerformerGenderInput(input.DefaultPerformerGender); err != nil {
+	if err := r.applyDefaultPerformerGenderInput(input.DefaultPerformerGender, input.ClearDefaultPerformerGender); err != nil {
 		return makeConfigInterfaceResult(), err
 	}
 
diff --git a/ui/v2.5/src/components/Settings/SettingsInterfacePanel/SettingsInterfacePanel.tsx b/ui/v2.5/src/components/Settings/SettingsInterfacePanel/SettingsInterfacePanel.tsx
index 0c3ff26cb..dc8613c6c 100644
--- a/ui/v2.5/src/components/Settings/SettingsInterfacePanel/SettingsInterfacePanel.tsx
+++ b/ui/v2.5/src/components/Settings/SettingsInterfacePanel/SettingsInterfacePanel.tsx
@@ -152,6 +152,20 @@ export const SettingsInterfacePanel: React.FC = PatchComponent(
       });
     }
 
+    function saveDefaultPerformerGender(v: string) {
+      saveInterface(
+        v === ""
+          ? {
+              clearDefaultPerformerGender: true,
+              defaultPerformerGender: null,
+            }
+          : {
+              clearDefaultPerformerGender: false,
+              defaultPerformerGender: v as GQL.GenderEnum,
+            }
+      );
+    }
+
     function validateLocaleString(v: string) {
       if (!v) return;
       try {
@@ -531,7 +545,7 @@ export const SettingsInterfacePanel: React.FC = PatchComponent(
             headingID="config.ui.performer_list.options.default_gender.heading"
             subHeadingID="config.ui.performer_list.options.default_gender.description"
             value={iface.defaultPerformerGender ?? ""}
-            onChange={(v) => saveInterface({ defaultPerformerGender: v })}
+            onChange={(v) => saveDefaultPerformerGender(v)}
           >
             <option value="">{intl.formatMessage({ id: "none" })}</option>
             {genderList.map((gender) => (