diff --git a/gtk/gtksettings.c b/gtk/gtksettings.c
index ae43f3abcc..a389d6a989 100644
--- a/gtk/gtksettings.c
+++ b/gtk/gtksettings.c
@@ -1490,7 +1490,7 @@ gtk_settings_class_init (GtkSettingsClass *class)
                                              g_param_spec_boolean ("gtk-enable-primary-paste",
                                                                    P_("Enable primary paste"),
                                                                    P_("Whether a middle click on a mouse should paste the 'PRIMARY' clipboard content at the cursor location."),
-                                                                   TRUE,
+                                                                   FALSE,
                                                                    GTK_PARAM_READWRITE),
                                              NULL);
   g_assert (result == PROP_ENABLE_PRIMARY_PASTE);