diff --git a/config.c b/config.c
index 997265a..9f51025 100644
--- a/config.c
+++ b/config.c
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ config_load_default(zathura_t* zathura)
   int int_value              = 0;
   float float_value          = 0;
   bool bool_value            = false;
-  bool inc_search            = false;
+  bool inc_search            = true;
   girara_session_t* gsession = zathura->ui.session;
 
   /* mode settings */
diff --git a/zathurarc.5.rst b/zathurarc.5.rst
index 424db54..9897506 100644
--- a/zathurarc.5.rst
+++ b/zathurarc.5.rst
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ incremental-search
 En/Disables incremental search (search while typing).
 
 * Value type: Boolean
-* Default value: false
+* Default value: true
 
 highlight-color
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^