diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour3_ui_default.conf.in b/gtk2_ardour/ardour3_ui_default.conf.in
index cc4c8d600f..1a56de2838 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour3_ui_default.conf.in
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour3_ui_default.conf.in
@@ -550,5 +550,6 @@
     <Option name="clock: text" value="6bb620ff"/>
     <Option name="clock: edited text" value="ffa500ff"/>
     <Option name="clock: cursor" value="ffa500ff"/>
+    <Option name="ruler font" value="sans @FONT_SMALL@"/>
   </Canvas>
 </Ardour>