diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 354db145..bc5c88a8 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -155,8 +155,8 @@ if test x$enable_drm_compositor = xyes; then
 fi
 
 
-AC_ARG_ENABLE(libinput-backend, [  --enable-libinput-backend],,
-	      enable_libinput_backend=no)
+AC_ARG_ENABLE(libinput-backend, [  --disable-libinput-backend],,
+	      enable_libinput_backend=yes)
 AM_CONDITIONAL([ENABLE_LIBINPUT_BACKEND], [test x$enable_libinput_backend = xyes])
 if test x$enable_libinput_backend = xyes; then
   AC_DEFINE([BUILD_LIBINPUT_BACKEND], [1], [Build the libinput input device backend])