diff --git a/crates/nu-cli/src/cli.rs b/crates/nu-cli/src/cli.rs
index 9423f9fc6..f140faa32 100644
--- a/crates/nu-cli/src/cli.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-cli/src/cli.rs
@@ -641,7 +641,7 @@ pub fn set_rustyline_configuration() -> (Editor<Helper>, IndexMap<String, Value>
                             Ok(s) if s.to_lowercase() == "emacs" => {
                                 rustyline::config::EditMode::Emacs
                             }
-                            _ => rustyline::config::EditMode::Vi,
+                            _ => rustyline::config::EditMode::Emacs,
                         };
                         rl.set_edit_mode(edit_mode);
                     }