diff --git a/src/client/state/settings.js b/src/client/state/settings.js
index ab4ae6f7..25d0b2d5 100644
--- a/src/client/state/settings.js
+++ b/src/client/state/settings.js
@@ -97,8 +97,8 @@ class Settings extends EventEmitter {
     if (typeof this.hideNickAvatarEvents === 'boolean') return this.hideNickAvatarEvents;
 
     const settings = getSettings();
-    if (settings === null) return false;
-    if (typeof settings.hideNickAvatarEvents === 'undefined') return false;
+    if (settings === null) return true;
+    if (typeof settings.hideNickAvatarEvents === 'undefined') return true;
     return settings.hideNickAvatarEvents;
   }