diff --git a/pelican/settings/base.py b/pelican/settings/base.py
index 97d68a46..fff71ddf 100644
--- a/pelican/settings/base.py
+++ b/pelican/settings/base.py
@@ -96,7 +96,8 @@ _DEFAULT_CONFIG = {'PATH': os.curdir,
                    # This will allow users to import formatters form
                    # outside the pelican source. 
                    # pelicanconf.py : PYGMENTS_FORMATTER = "my.custom.formatter"
-                   'PYGMENTS_FORMATTER': 'pygments.formatters.HtmlFormatter'
+                   'PYGMENTS_FORMATTER': 'pygments.formatters.HtmlFormatter',
+                   'PYGMENTS_FORMATTER_RENDER_CSS': False
                    }