diff --git a/subsurfacestartup.c b/subsurfacestartup.c
index 18d00d374..fd5df09ab 100644
--- a/subsurfacestartup.c
+++ b/subsurfacestartup.c
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ struct preferences default_prefs = {
 		.category = { 0 }
 	},
 	.deco_mode = BUEHLMANN,
-	.conservatism_level = 0
+	.conservatism_level = 3
 };
 
 int run_survey;