diff --git a/lisp/repeat.el b/lisp/repeat.el
index 32ffb1884f3..5b3ab03796a 100644
--- a/lisp/repeat.el
+++ b/lisp/repeat.el
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ of the specified number of seconds."
 (defvar repeat-exit-timer nil
   "Timer activated after the last key typed in the repeating key sequence.")
 
-(defcustom repeat-keep-prefix t
+(defcustom repeat-keep-prefix nil
   "Whether to keep the prefix arg of the previous command when repeating."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'convenience