diff --git a/data/default_config.cfg b/data/default_config.cfg
index b05acd09..908a3d70 100644
--- a/data/default_config.cfg
+++ b/data/default_config.cfg
@@ -391,9 +391,10 @@ use_bookmarks_method =
 # you will go on the previous tab if that option is true
 #go_to_previous_tab_on_alt_number = false
 
-# If true, a vertical list of tabs, with their name, is displayed on the left of
-# the screen.
-#enable_vertical_tab_list = false
+# If true, a vertical list of tabs, with their name, is displayed on the left
+# of the screen.  Otherwise, it is a horizontal bar with just the tab numbers
+# above the input bar.
+#enable_vertical_tab_list = true
 
 # Horizontal size of the vertical tab list
 #vertical_tab_list_size = 20
diff --git a/doc/source/configuration.rst b/doc/source/configuration.rst
index 86264bd7..62c71476 100644
--- a/doc/source/configuration.rst
+++ b/doc/source/configuration.rst
@@ -673,10 +673,11 @@ or the way messages are displayed.
 
     enable_vertical_tab_list
 
-        **Default value:** ``false``
+        **Default value:** ``true``
 
-        If ``true``, a vertical list of tabs, with their name, is displayed on the left of
-        the screen.
+        If ``true``, a vertical list of tabs, with their name, is displayed on
+        the left of the screen.  Otherwise, it is a horizontal bar with just
+        the tab numbers above the input bar.
 
     max_nick_length
 
diff --git a/poezio/config.py b/poezio/config.py
index 830c505b..944557a6 100644
--- a/poezio/config.py
+++ b/poezio/config.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
         'enable_user_mood': True,
         'enable_user_nick': True,
         'enable_user_tune': True,
-        'enable_vertical_tab_list': False,
+        'enable_vertical_tab_list': True,
         'enable_xhtml_im': True,
         'enable_smacks': False,
         'eval_password': '',