diff --git a/plugins/focus.c b/plugins/focus.c
index 5a52d2e9..9424a236 100644
--- a/plugins/focus.c
+++ b/plugins/focus.c
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 /* config options */
 static gboolean follow_mouse = TRUE;
 static gboolean warp_on_desk_switch = FALSE;
-static gboolean focus_new = FALSE;
+static gboolean focus_new = TRUE;
 
 /*static int skip_enter = 0;*/