diff --git a/pycheribuild/projects/cross/cheribsd.py b/pycheribuild/projects/cross/cheribsd.py
index f3087cc05..2167a61d3 100644
--- a/pycheribuild/projects/cross/cheribsd.py
+++ b/pycheribuild/projects/cross/cheribsd.py
@@ -1611,7 +1611,7 @@ def setup_config_options(cls, kernel_only_target=False, install_directory_help=N
         cls.default_kernel_abi = cls.add_config_option(
             "default-kernel-abi", show_help=True, _allow_unknown_targets=True,
             only_add_for_targets=cls.purecap_kernel_targets,
-            kind=KernelABI, default=KernelABI.HYBRID,
+            kind=KernelABI, default=KernelABI.PURECAP,
             enum_choices=[KernelABI.HYBRID, KernelABI.PURECAP],
             help="Select default kernel to build")