diff --git a/include/optlist.h b/include/optlist.h
index fdc92d1d7..9631efd15 100644
--- a/include/optlist.h
+++ b/include/optlist.h
@@ -171,7 +171,9 @@ static int optfn_##a(int, int, boolean, char *, char *);
     NHOPTB(armorstatus, Advanced, 0, opt_in, set_in_game,
                 Off, Yes, No, No, NoAlias, &flags.armorstatus, Term_False,
                 "summarize currently worn armor in a status field")
-    NHOPTB(ascii_map, Advanced, 0, opt_out, set_in_game,
+    /* this one needs unique handling because different window ports
+       expect different defaults */
+    NHOPTB(ascii_map, Advanced, 0, ascii_map_Def, set_in_game,
                 ascii_map_Def, Yes, No, No, NoAlias, &iflags.wc_ascii_map,
                 Term_False, "show map as text")
     NHOPTO("autocompletions", Advanced, o_autocomplete, BUFSZ, opt_in,