diff --git a/tools/ioemu/vl.c b/tools/ioemu/vl.c
index b6fb5e923d..79c885b6ef 100644
--- a/tools/ioemu/vl.c
+++ b/tools/ioemu/vl.c
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ int adlib_enabled = 1;
 int gus_enabled = 1;
 int pci_enabled = 1;
 int prep_enabled = 0;
-int rtc_utc = 1;
+int rtc_utc = 0;
 int cirrus_vga_enabled = 1;
 int vga_accelerate = 1;
 int graphic_width = 800;