diff --git a/nixos/modules/programs/nano.nix b/nixos/modules/programs/nano.nix
index 7a5e32fa7999..88404f3557c6 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/programs/nano.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/programs/nano.nix
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ in
 
       syntaxHighlight = lib.mkOption {
         type = lib.types.bool;
-        default = false;
+        default = true;
         description = lib.mdDoc "Whether to enable syntax highlight for various languages.";
       };
     };