diff --git a/srcpkgs/qemu/template b/srcpkgs/qemu/template
index 8eda15e3957..2d36bde1ff9 100644
--- a/srcpkgs/qemu/template
+++ b/srcpkgs/qemu/template
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ depends="libusb>=1.0.15"
 conf_files="/etc/qemu/target-x86_64.conf"
 
 build_options="gtk sdl1"
+build_options_default="sdl1"
 desc_option_gtk="Enable GTK display and use it by default"
 desc_option_sdl1="Link against SDL1 instead of SDL2"