diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index 2e8a40c4..903f068f 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ CVS code -
   shortcut_init()
 	- Fix erroneous #ifdef so that nano compiles with
 	  --disable-justify again. (DLR; found by Mike Frysinger)
+- rcfile.c:
+  parse_rcfile()
+	- Have whitespace display default to off instead of on. (Mike
+	  Frysinger)
 
 GNU nano 1.3.3 - 2004.06.28
 - General:
diff --git a/src/rcfile.c b/src/rcfile.c
index 8476eeac..de5ec4a1 100644
--- a/src/rcfile.c
+++ b/src/rcfile.c
@@ -605,8 +605,7 @@ void parse_rcfile(FILE *rcstream)
 				    rcfile_error(_("Two non-control characters required"));
 				    free(whitespace);
 				    whitespace = NULL;
-				} else
-				    SET(WHITESPACE_DISPLAY);
+				}
 			    } else
 #endif
 #ifndef DISABLE_JUSTIFY