      *  @private
      *  Storage for the joints property.
      */
-    private var _joints:String = null;
+    private var _joints:String = JointStyle.ROUND;
     
     [Bindable("propertyChange")]
     [Inspectable(category="General", enumeration="round,bevel,miter", defaultValue="round")]

    public function GradientStroke(weight:Number = 1,
                                     pixelHinting:Boolean = false,
                                     scaleMode:String = "normal",
                                     caps:String = null,
                                     joints:String = null,
                                     miterLimit:Number = 0)
    {
        super();


     *  For example, with a <code>miterLimit</code> factor of 2.5 and a 
     *  <code>thickness</code> of 10 pixels, the miter is cut off at 25 pixels. 
     *  This parameter is optional,
     *  with a default value of <code>3</code>.
     *  
     *  @langversion 3.0
     *  @playerversion Flash 9
