diff --git a/gui/kivy/uix/screens.py b/gui/kivy/uix/screens.py
index 3f315c28d..7b082c571 100644
--- a/gui/kivy/uix/screens.py
+++ b/gui/kivy/uix/screens.py
@@ -330,12 +330,15 @@ class ReceiveScreen(CScreen):
     def get_new_address(self):
         if not self.app.wallet:
             return False
+        self.clear()
         addr = self.app.wallet.get_unused_address()
         if addr is None:
-            return False
-        self.clear()
+            addr = self.app.wallet.get_receiving_address()
+            b = False
+        else:
+            b = True
         self.screen.address = addr
-        return True
+        return b
 
     def on_address(self, addr):
         req = self.app.wallet.get_payment_request(addr, self.app.electrum_config)
diff --git a/gui/qt/main_window.py b/gui/qt/main_window.py
index 007dc0ede..2b4db2816 100644
--- a/gui/qt/main_window.py
+++ b/gui/qt/main_window.py
@@ -877,8 +877,8 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, PrintError):
         self.receive_amount_e.setAmount(None)
 
     def clear_receive_tab(self):
-        addr = self.wallet.get_unused_address()
-        self.receive_address_e.setText(addr if addr else '')
+        addr = self.wallet.get_receiving_address()
+        self.receive_address_e.setText(addr)
         self.receive_message_e.setText('')
         self.receive_amount_e.setAmount(None)
         self.expires_label.hide()
diff --git a/gui/text.py b/gui/text.py
index f477beb2d..4680f5441 100644
--- a/gui/text.py
+++ b/gui/text.py
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ class ElectrumGui:
         self.stdscr.addstr(self.maxy -1, self.maxx-30, ' '.join([_("Settings"), _("Network"), _("Quit")]))
 
     def print_receive(self):
-        addr = self.wallet.get_unused_address()
+        addr = self.wallet.get_receiving_address()
         self.stdscr.addstr(2, 1, "Address: "+addr)
         self.print_qr(addr)
 
diff --git a/lib/wallet.py b/lib/wallet.py
index 10eb1ec95..4e89008c0 100644
--- a/lib/wallet.py
+++ b/lib/wallet.py
@@ -1119,6 +1119,18 @@ class Abstract_Wallet(PrintError):
         if addrs:
             return addrs[0]
 
+    def get_receiving_address(self):
+        # always return an address
+        domain = self.get_receiving_addresses()
+        choice = domain[0]
+        for addr in domain:
+            if addr not in self.history.keys():
+                if addr not in self.receive_requests.keys():
+                    return addr
+                else:
+                    choice = addr
+        return choice
+
     def get_payment_status(self, address, amount):
         local_height = self.get_local_height()
         received, sent = self.get_addr_io(address)