diff --git a/rclcpp/include/rclcpp/node_interfaces/node_parameters_interface.hpp b/rclcpp/include/rclcpp/node_interfaces/node_parameters_interface.hpp
index 16ff2afc8c..deb2be2306 100644
--- a/rclcpp/include/rclcpp/node_interfaces/node_parameters_interface.hpp
+++ b/rclcpp/include/rclcpp/node_interfaces/node_parameters_interface.hpp
@@ -51,8 +51,9 @@ class NodeParametersInterface
   const rclcpp::ParameterValue &
   declare_parameter(
     const std::string & name,
-    const rclcpp::ParameterValue & default_value,
-    const rcl_interfaces::msg::ParameterDescriptor & parameter_descriptor) = 0;
+    const rclcpp::ParameterValue & default_value = rclcpp::ParameterValue(),
+    const rcl_interfaces::msg::ParameterDescriptor & parameter_descriptor =
+    rcl_interfaces::msg::ParameterDescriptor()) = 0;
 
   /// Undeclare a parameter.
   /**