diff --git a/sources/iTermPreferences.m b/sources/iTermPreferences.m
index f2bd3b090b..e017045230 100644
--- a/sources/iTermPreferences.m
+++ b/sources/iTermPreferences.m
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ + (NSDictionary *)defaultValueMap {
                   kPreferenceKeySavePasteAndCommandHistory: @NO,
                   kPreferenceKeyAddBonjourHostsToProfiles: @NO,
                   kPreferenceKeyCheckForUpdatesAutomatically: @YES,
-                  kPreferenceKeyCheckForTestReleases: @YES,
+                  kPreferenceKeyCheckForTestReleases: @NO,
                   kPreferenceKeyLoadPrefsFromCustomFolder: @NO,
                   kPreferenceKeyCustomFolder: [NSNull null],
                   kPreferenceKeySelectionCopiesText: @YES,