diff --git a/lisp/rfn-eshadow.el b/lisp/rfn-eshadow.el
index d82dd6cba15..3b0480c9595 100644
--- a/lisp/rfn-eshadow.el
+++ b/lisp/rfn-eshadow.el
@@ -208,6 +208,7 @@ that portion dim, invisible, or otherwise less visually noticeable.
 With prefix argument ARG, turn on if positive, otherwise off.
 Returns non-nil if the new state is enabled."
   :global t
+  :init-value t
   :group 'minibuffer
   (if file-name-shadow-mode
       ;; Enable the mode