diff --git a/config.def.h b/config.def.h
index 77ff358..d66d225 100644
--- a/config.def.h
+++ b/config.def.h
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ static const char selbgcolor[]      = "#005577";
 static const char selfgcolor[]      = "#eeeeee";
 static const unsigned int borderpx  = 1;        /* border pixel of windows */
 static const unsigned int snap      = 32;       /* snap pixel */
+static const unsigned int defaulttag= 2;        /* default tag on startup */
 static const Bool showbar           = True;     /* False means no bar */
 static const Bool topbar            = True;     /* False means bottom bar */
 
diff --git a/dwm.c b/dwm.c
index 1d78655..cbb9b59 100644
--- a/dwm.c
+++ b/dwm.c
@@ -649,7 +649,7 @@ createmon(void) {
 
 	if(!(m = (Monitor *)calloc(1, sizeof(Monitor))))
 		die("fatal: could not malloc() %u bytes\n", sizeof(Monitor));
-	m->tagset[0] = m->tagset[1] = 1;
+	m->tagset[0] = m->tagset[1] = defaulttag;
 	m->mfact = mfact;
 	m->nmaster = nmaster;
 	m->showbar = showbar;