diff --git a/gtk/gtkplacessidebar.c b/gtk/gtkplacessidebar.c
index 6d3a886936..e0b6f56c3e 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkplacessidebar.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkplacessidebar.c
@@ -4277,7 +4277,7 @@ gtk_places_sidebar_class_init (GtkPlacesSidebarClass *class)
           g_param_spec_boolean ("show-desktop",
                                 P_("Show 'Desktop'"),
                                 P_("Whether the sidebar includes a builtin shortcut to the Desktop folder"),
-                                FALSE,
+                                TRUE,
                                 G_PARAM_READWRITE);
   properties[PROP_SHOW_CONNECT_TO_SERVER] =
           g_param_spec_boolean ("show-connect-to-server",
diff --git a/gtk/gtksettings.c b/gtk/gtksettings.c
index 21c96d7b87..01f2ef81dd 100644
--- a/gtk/gtksettings.c
+++ b/gtk/gtksettings.c
@@ -1536,7 +1536,7 @@ gtk_settings_class_init (GtkSettingsClass *class)
                                                                    P_("Set to TRUE if the desktop environment "
                                                                       "is displaying the desktop folder, FALSE "
                                                                       "if not."),
-                                                                   FALSE, GTK_PARAM_READWRITE),
+                                                                   TRUE, GTK_PARAM_READWRITE),
                                              NULL);
   g_assert (result == PROP_SHELL_SHOWS_DESKTOP);