diff --git a/poezio/core/handlers.py b/poezio/core/handlers.py
index 8ed861af..01fb6062 100644
--- a/poezio/core/handlers.py
+++ b/poezio/core/handlers.py
@@ -1784,7 +1784,7 @@ def _composing_tab_state(tab, state):
     else:
         return  # should not happen
 
-    show = config.get('show_composing_tabs')
+    show = config.get('show_composing_tabs').lower()
     show = show in values
 
     if tab.state != 'composing' and state == 'composing':