diff --git a/data/hostserv.example.conf b/data/hostserv.example.conf
index 1869c5eb9..4a8354a02 100644
--- a/data/hostserv.example.conf
+++ b/data/hostserv.example.conf
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ module
 	/*
 	 * If enabled, vhosts are activated on users immediately when they are set.
 	 */
-	activate_on_set = false
+	activate_on_set = yes
 
 	/*
 	 * If enabled, vhosts are activated on users immediately when they log out of an operator account.
diff --git a/modules/hostserv/hostserv.cpp b/modules/hostserv/hostserv.cpp
index 82273f4e5..fb8b3491c 100644
--- a/modules/hostserv/hostserv.cpp
+++ b/modules/hostserv/hostserv.cpp
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public:
 
 	void OnSetVHost(NickAlias *na) override
 	{
-		if (Config->GetModule(this)->Get<bool>("activate_on_set"))
+		if (Config->GetModule(this)->Get<bool>("activate_on_set", "yes"))
 		{
 			User *u = User::Find(na->nick);
 
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ public:
 
 	void OnDeleteVHost(NickAlias *na) override
 	{
-		if (Config->GetModule(this)->Get<bool>("activate_on_set"))
+		if (Config->GetModule(this)->Get<bool>("activate_on_set", "yes"))
 		{
 			User *u = User::Find(na->nick);