diff --git a/bgpd/bgpd.c b/bgpd/bgpd.c
index c178727b54..d103584594 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgpd.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgpd.c
@@ -2863,6 +2863,7 @@ static struct bgp *bgp_create(as_t *as, const char *name,
 	}
 
 	bgp_lock(bgp);
+	bgp->heuristic_coalesce = true;
 	bgp->inst_type = inst_type;
 	bgp->vrf_id = (inst_type == BGP_INSTANCE_TYPE_DEFAULT) ? VRF_DEFAULT
 							       : VRF_UNKNOWN;