diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/indices/IndicesRequestCache.java b/core/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/indices/IndicesRequestCache.java
index 9129a3b1360..4b4aa4e8df2 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/indices/IndicesRequestCache.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/indices/IndicesRequestCache.java
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ public final class IndicesRequestCache extends AbstractComponent implements Remo
      * since we are checking on the cluster state IndexMetaData always.
      */
     public static final Setting<Boolean> INDEX_CACHE_REQUEST_ENABLED_SETTING =
-        Setting.boolSetting("index.requests.cache.enable", false, Property.Dynamic, Property.IndexScope);
+        Setting.boolSetting("index.requests.cache.enable", true, Property.Dynamic, Property.IndexScope);
     public static final Setting<ByteSizeValue> INDICES_CACHE_QUERY_SIZE =
         Setting.byteSizeSetting("indices.requests.cache.size", "1%", Property.NodeScope);
     public static final Setting<TimeValue> INDICES_CACHE_QUERY_EXPIRE =