Bug with Gradient Tool

I'm a professional photographer using Photoshop 26.10.0 on Win 10 and always use the Classic Gradient tool for masking purposes. By default, I use radial gradiants, from black to white and the mode is set to Multiply. Often, when I open an image, drop an image over top and create a layer mask, once I start creating the gradient, it behaves as if the mode is set to Normal. I have to then click on the mode, select Multiply and carry on. It doesn't do it all of the time, but it happens about 40% of the time I'm brushing in gradient masks.