diff --git a/data/default_config.cfg b/data/default_config.cfg
index 89794a94..db8b8170 100644
--- a/data/default_config.cfg
+++ b/data/default_config.cfg
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ use_bookmarks_method =
 #request_message_receipts = true
 
 # Display your contacts’ avatar in the roster if true.
-#enable_avatars = true
+#enable_avatars = false
 
 # Extract base64 images received in XHTML-IM messages
 # if true.
diff --git a/doc/source/configuration.rst b/doc/source/configuration.rst
index 95d5fadb..6b1f73b0 100644
--- a/doc/source/configuration.rst
+++ b/doc/source/configuration.rst
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ to understand what is :ref:`carbons <carbons-details>` or
 
     enable_avatars
 
-        **Default value:** ``true``
+        **Default value:** ``false``
 
         Display contact avatars in the roster.
 
diff --git a/poezio/config.py b/poezio/config.py
index f70f75e2..6fe4fa59 100644
--- a/poezio/config.py
+++ b/poezio/config.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
         'display_mood_notifications': False,
         'display_tune_notifications': False,
         'display_user_color_in_join_part': True,
-        'enable_avatars': True,
+        'enable_avatars': False,
         'enable_carbons': True,
         'enable_user_activity': True,
         'enable_user_gaming': True,