diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/sparkimpl/settings/local/LocalPreferences.java b/core/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/sparkimpl/settings/local/LocalPreferences.java
index 4bd5073ed..91b20d16e 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/sparkimpl/settings/local/LocalPreferences.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/sparkimpl/settings/local/LocalPreferences.java
@@ -720,7 +720,7 @@ public class LocalPreferences {
      * Presence icon should be enough to distinguish idle users.
      */
     public boolean isGrayingOutEnabled() {
-        return getBoolean("GrayingOut", true);
+        return getBoolean("GrayingOut", false);
     }
 
     public void setLookAndFeel(String laf) {
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/sparkimpl/settings/local/SettingsManager.java b/core/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/sparkimpl/settings/local/SettingsManager.java
index f459f77ec..c724dcebc 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/sparkimpl/settings/local/SettingsManager.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/sparkimpl/settings/local/SettingsManager.java
@@ -289,6 +289,7 @@ public class SettingsManager {
             "contactListFontSize", "14",
             "chatRoomFontSize", "16",
             "passwordSaved", "true",
+            "GrayingOut", "false",
             "hideInTaskbar", "false" // new option
         );
         return List.of(v1, v2);