diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/Gui/PreferencesGui.cpp b/src/Mod/TechDraw/Gui/PreferencesGui.cpp
index c4821035d2..d44381805e 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/Gui/PreferencesGui.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/Gui/PreferencesGui.cpp
@@ -241,6 +241,6 @@ bool PreferencesGui::showGrid()
     Base::Reference<ParameterGrp> hGrp = App::GetApplication().GetUserParameter().
                                          GetGroup("BaseApp")->GetGroup("Preferences")->
                                          GetGroup("Mod/TechDraw/General");
-    bool show = hGrp->GetBool("showGrid", true);
+    bool show = hGrp->GetBool("showGrid", false);
     return show;
 }