diff --git a/src/default.ini b/src/default.ini
index fbf731f8..d4420ba5 100644
--- a/src/default.ini
+++ b/src/default.ini
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ sockspassword =
 keysencrypted = False
 messagesencrypted = False
 minimizeonclose = False
-dontconnect = True
 replybelow = False
 stopresendingafterxdays = 
 stopresendingafterxmonths = 
diff --git a/src/helper_startup.py b/src/helper_startup.py
index c8a56c09..a8789b4a 100644
--- a/src/helper_startup.py
+++ b/src/helper_startup.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def loadConfig():
         config.set(
             'bitmessagesettings', 'defaultpayloadlengthextrabytes',
             str(defaults.networkDefaultPayloadLengthExtraBytes))
-
+        config.set('bitmessagesettings', 'dontconnect', 'true')
         # UI setting to stop trying to send messages after X days/months
         # config.set('bitmessagesettings', 'stopresendingafterxdays', '')
         # config.set('bitmessagesettings', 'stopresendingafterxmonths', '')