diff --git a/options.h b/options.h
index 82debd5..1560c71 100644
--- a/options.h
+++ b/options.h
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ static int hidestatus                         = 0; /* Hide status bar (1) or sho
 static int hideicon                           = 0; /* Hide icon (1) or show (0) */
 static int hidetags                           = 0; /* Hide status bar (1) or show (0) */
 static int hidesystray                        = 0; /* Hide systray by default (1) or show (0) */
-static int hideemptytags                      = 0; /* Hide empty tags (1) or show (0) */
+static int hideemptytags                      = 1; /* Hide empty tags (1) or show (0) */
 static int hideborder                         = 0; /* Hide window border (1) or show (0) */
 static int hidesingleborder                   = 1; /* Hide window border when there's only one window (1) or show (0) */
 static int hidefloating                       = 0; /* Hide floating indicator (1) or show (0) */