diff --git a/tailbone/subscribers.py b/tailbone/subscribers.py
index 1a610ef2..d0404264 100644
--- a/tailbone/subscribers.py
+++ b/tailbone/subscribers.py
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ def before_render(event):
 
         # TODO: ugh, same deal here
         renderer_globals['messaging_enabled'] = request.rattail_config.getbool(
-            'tailbone', 'messaging.enabled', default=True)
+            'tailbone', 'messaging.enabled', default=False)
 
 
 def add_inbox_count(event):