diff --git a/g10/main.h b/g10/main.h
index 87417ee37..48503602b 100644
--- a/g10/main.h
+++ b/g10/main.h
@@ -31,7 +31,9 @@
    (i.e. uncompressed) rather than 1 (zip).  However, the real world
    issues of speed and size come into play here. */
 
-#if GPG_USE_AES128
+#if GPG_USE_AES256
+# define DEFAULT_CIPHER_ALGO     CIPHER_ALGO_AES256
+#elif GPG_USE_AES128
 # define DEFAULT_CIPHER_ALGO     CIPHER_ALGO_AES
 #elif GPG_USE_CAST5
 # define DEFAULT_CIPHER_ALGO     CIPHER_ALGO_CAST5