diff --git a/ext/bg/js/options.js b/ext/bg/js/options.js
index 83eb1f0a..915164c7 100644
--- a/ext/bg/js/options.js
+++ b/ext/bg/js/options.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 function sanitizeOptions(options) {
     const defaults = {
-        activateOnStartup: false,
+        activateOnStartup: true,
         selectMatchedText: true,
         enableAudioPlayback: true,
         enableAnkiConnect: false,