test iterator value in struts 2

I want to select option in drop down on condition.

 <s:set var="defaultState" value="customerBean.state"/>
                                        <select onchange="reflect(this);"  name="customerBean.state" class="form-control"  id="state">
                                            <option>Select</option>
                                            <s:iterator value="stateList" var="statevalue">

                                                <s:if test="%{#defaultState.equalsIgnoreCase(stateValue)}">  
                                                    <option id="stateVal" selected="selected"><s:property value="statevalue"/></option>

                                                </s:if>  
                                                <s:else>  
                                                    <option id="stateVal"><s:property value="statevalue"/></option>
                                                </s:else> 
                                            </s:iterator>
                                        </select>

this does not work. But if I put

<s:if test="%{#defaultState.equalsIgnoreCase('Alabama')}">

this works.

Please help.