diff --git a/OpenSim/Region/CoreModules/Avatar/Chat/ChatModule.cs b/OpenSim/Region/CoreModules/Avatar/Chat/ChatModule.cs
index f4da910db4..6dacbba0df 100644
--- a/OpenSim/Region/CoreModules/Avatar/Chat/ChatModule.cs
+++ b/OpenSim/Region/CoreModules/Avatar/Chat/ChatModule.cs
@@ -62,15 +62,16 @@ namespace OpenSim.Region.CoreModules.Avatar.Chat
             if (null == m_config)
             {
                 m_log.Info("[CHAT]: no config found, plugin disabled");
+                m_enabled = false;
                 return;
             }
 
-            if (!m_config.GetBoolean("enabled", false))
+            if (!m_config.GetBoolean("enabled", true))
             {
                 m_log.Info("[CHAT]: plugin disabled by configuration");
+                m_enabled = false;
                 return;
             }
-            m_enabled = true;
 
             m_whisperdistance = config.Configs["Chat"].GetInt("whisper_distance", m_whisperdistance);
             m_saydistance = config.Configs["Chat"].GetInt("say_distance", m_saydistance);