diff --git a/minetest.conf.example b/minetest.conf.example
index 3ca794cc8..a0aa69125 100644
--- a/minetest.conf.example
+++ b/minetest.conf.example
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@
 #bilinear_filter = false
 #trilinear_filter = false
 # Set to true to pre-generate all item visuals
-#preload_item_visuals = false
+#preload_item_visuals = true
 # 0: disable shaders
 # (1: low level shaders; not implemented)
 # 2: enable high level shaders
diff --git a/src/defaultsettings.cpp b/src/defaultsettings.cpp
index 86aa87b24..79510f6f3 100644
--- a/src/defaultsettings.cpp
+++ b/src/defaultsettings.cpp
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ void set_default_settings(Settings *settings)
 	settings->setDefault("anisotropic_filter", "false");
 	settings->setDefault("bilinear_filter", "false");
 	settings->setDefault("trilinear_filter", "false");
-	settings->setDefault("preload_item_visuals", "false");
+	settings->setDefault("preload_item_visuals", "true");
 	settings->setDefault("enable_shaders", "2");
 
 	// Server stuff