diff --git a/plugins/inputs/system/cpu.go b/plugins/inputs/system/cpu.go
index bef2a28f4..333339458 100644
--- a/plugins/inputs/system/cpu.go
+++ b/plugins/inputs/system/cpu.go
@@ -113,6 +113,10 @@ func totalCpuTime(t cpu.CPUTimesStat) float64 {
 
 func init() {
 	inputs.Add("cpu", func() telegraf.Input {
-		return &CPUStats{ps: &systemPS{}}
+		return &CPUStats{
+			PerCPU:   true,
+			TotalCPU: true,
+			ps:       &systemPS{},
+		}
 	})
 }
diff --git a/plugins/outputs/file/file.go b/plugins/outputs/file/file.go
index e593e3cea..743c0f03f 100644
--- a/plugins/outputs/file/file.go
+++ b/plugins/outputs/file/file.go
@@ -36,6 +36,11 @@ func (f *File) SetSerializer(serializer serializers.Serializer) {
 
 func (f *File) Connect() error {
 	writers := []io.Writer{}
+
+	if len(f.Files) == 0 {
+		f.Files = []string{"stdout"}
+	}
+
 	for _, file := range f.Files {
 		if file == "stdout" {
 			writers = append(writers, os.Stdout)