diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/bible/service/device/ScreenSettings.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/bible/service/device/ScreenSettings.kt
index f5142d1448..fa43c8d2b3 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/bible/service/device/ScreenSettings.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/bible/service/device/ScreenSettings.kt
@@ -59,9 +59,9 @@ object ScreenSettings {
         }
 
     private val autoNightMode get() =
-        autoModeAvailable && preferences.getString("night_mode_pref3", "system") == "automatic"
-    val manualMode: Boolean get() = preferences.getString("night_mode_pref3", "system") == "manual"
-    val systemMode: Boolean get() = preferences.getString("night_mode_pref3", "system") == "system"
+        autoModeAvailable && preferences.getString("night_mode_pref3", "manual") == "automatic"
+    val manualMode: Boolean get() = preferences.getString("night_mode_pref3", "manual") == "manual"
+    val systemMode: Boolean get() = preferences.getString("night_mode_pref3", "manual") == "system"
 
     val autoModeAvailable = lightSensor.isLightSensor
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/xml/settings.xml b/app/src/main/res/xml/settings.xml
index 45fdf9fdac..f2777d4ead 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/xml/settings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/xml/settings.xml
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
 			android:entries="@array/prefs_night_mode_descriptions"
 			android:entryValues="@array/prefs_night_mode_values"
 			android:icon="@drawable/ic_night_mode_switching_24dp"
-			android:defaultValue="system"/>
+			android:defaultValue="manual"/>
 	</PreferenceCategory>
 	<PreferenceCategory
 		android:title="@string/prefs_display_customization_cat">