diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/scm/browser/scm.contribution.ts b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/scm/browser/scm.contribution.ts
index 291d9386b1f18..549b45e76663a 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/scm/browser/scm.contribution.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/scm/browser/scm.contribution.ts
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ Registry.as<IConfigurationRegistry>(ConfigurationExtensions.Configuration).regis
 				localize('scm.defaultViewMode.list', "Show the repository changes as a list.")
 			],
 			description: localize('scm.defaultViewMode', "Controls the default Source Control repository view mode."),
-			default: 'tree'
+			default: 'list'
 		}
 	}
 });