diff --git a/searx/settings.yml b/searx/settings.yml
index 21f0f20b3..70dd2e466 100644
--- a/searx/settings.yml
+++ b/searx/settings.yml
@@ -176,7 +176,8 @@ outgoing:
 
 # Comment or un-comment plugin to activate / deactivate by default.
 #
-# enabled_plugins:
+enabled_plugins:
+  - 'query strings'
 #   # these plugins are enabled if nothing is configured ..
 #   - 'Hash plugin'
 #   - 'Search on category select'