diff --git a/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp b/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp
index dabf0ed16..b0f074b8d 100644
--- a/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp
+++ b/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
 #pragma warning(disable: 6011) // dereference null pointer in thinker iterator
 #endif
 
-CVAR (Int, cl_rockettrails, 1, CVAR_ARCHIVE);
+CVAR (Int, cl_rockettrails, 0, CVAR_ARCHIVE);
 CVAR (Bool, r_rail_smartspiral, false, CVAR_ARCHIVE);
 CVAR (Int, r_rail_spiralsparsity, 1, CVAR_ARCHIVE);
 CVAR (Int, r_rail_trailsparsity, 1, CVAR_ARCHIVE);