diff --git a/unix/vncviewer/CConn.cxx b/unix/vncviewer/CConn.cxx
index db36489..4a1aeb0 100644
--- a/unix/vncviewer/CConn.cxx
+++ b/unix/vncviewer/CConn.cxx
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
   : dpy(dpy_), argc(argc_),
     argv(argv_), serverHost(0), serverPort(0), sock(sock_), viewport(0),
     desktop(0), desktopEventHandler(0),
-    currentEncoding(encodingZRLE), lastServerEncoding((unsigned int)-1),
+    currentEncoding(encodingTight), lastServerEncoding((unsigned int)-1),
     fullColour(::fullColour),
     autoSelect(::autoSelect), shared(::shared), formatChange(false),
     encodingChange(false), sameMachine(false), fullScreen(::fullScreen),