diff --git a/source/glest_game/game/game.cpp b/source/glest_game/game/game.cpp
index e073ad02..7e5075be 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/game/game.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/game/game.cpp
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ void Game::resetMembers() {
 
 	scrollSpeed = Config::getInstance().getFloat("UiScrollSpeed","1.5");
 	photoModeEnabled = Config::getInstance().getBool("PhotoMode","false");
-	healthbarMode = Config::getInstance().getInt("HealthBarMode","0");
+	healthbarMode = Config::getInstance().getInt("HealthBarMode","4");
 	visibleHUD = Config::getInstance().getBool("VisibleHud","true");
 	timeDisplay = Config::getInstance().getBool("TimeDisplay","true");
 	withRainEffect = Config::getInstance().getBool("RainEffect","true");
diff --git a/source/glest_game/menu/menu_state_options.cpp b/source/glest_game/menu/menu_state_options.cpp
index 1122591c..506959b7 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/menu/menu_state_options.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/menu/menu_state_options.cpp
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ MenuStateOptions::MenuStateOptions(Program *program, MainMenu *mainMenu, Program
 		listBoxHealthBars.pushBackItem(lang.getString("HealthbarsSelected"));
 		listBoxHealthBars.pushBackItem(lang.getString("HealthbarsSelectedOrNeeded"));
 
-		int hpMode=config.getInt("HealthBarMode","0");
+		int hpMode=config.getInt("HealthBarMode","4");
 		int hpIndex=0;
 		switch (hpMode) {
 			case hbvUndefined: