diff --git a/qutebrowser/qutebrowser.py b/qutebrowser/qutebrowser.py
index 475c7b7da..19cc52312 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/qutebrowser.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/qutebrowser.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def get_argparser():
                         help="How URLs should be opened if there is already a "
                              "qutebrowser instance running.")
     parser.add_argument('--backend', choices=['webkit', 'webengine'],
-                        help="Which backend to use.")
+                        help="Which backend to use.", default='webkit')
 
     parser.add_argument('--json-args', help=argparse.SUPPRESS)
     parser.add_argument('--temp-basedir-restarted', help=argparse.SUPPRESS)