diff --git a/src/main/java/com/akathist/maven/plugins/launch4j/Launch4jMojo.java b/src/main/java/com/akathist/maven/plugins/launch4j/Launch4jMojo.java
index 5bc3e0e..4f408a9 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/akathist/maven/plugins/launch4j/Launch4jMojo.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/akathist/maven/plugins/launch4j/Launch4jMojo.java
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ public class Launch4jMojo extends AbstractMojo {
      * in order to avoid opening a DOS window.
      * Choosing gui also enables other options like taskbar icon and a splash screen.
      */
-    @Parameter
+    @Parameter(defaultValue = "console", required = true)
     private String headerType;
 
     /**
@@ -350,6 +350,8 @@ private void doExecute() throws MojoExecutionException {
             getLog().debug("Skipping execution of the plugin");
             return;
         }
+	
+        fillSensibleJreDefaults();
 
         if (!disableVersionInfoDefaults) {
             try {
@@ -491,6 +493,18 @@ private void doExecute() throws MojoExecutionException {
             }
         }
     }
+    
+    private void fillSensibleJreDefaults() throws MojoExecutionException {
+        if (jre == null) {
+            jre = new Jre();
+        }
+
+        if (jre.path == null) {
+            String pathDef = "%JAVA_HOME%;%PATH%";
+            getLog().warn("jre.path not set, defaulting to \"" + pathDef + "\"");
+            jre.path = pathDef;
+        }
+    }
 
     /**
      * Prepares a little directory for launch4j to do its thing. Launch4j needs a bunch of object files