diff --git a/pyls/plugins/pylint_lint.py b/pyls/plugins/pylint_lint.py
index b311a6d4..52322e7a 100644
--- a/pyls/plugins/pylint_lint.py
+++ b/pyls/plugins/pylint_lint.py
@@ -146,6 +146,13 @@ def _build_pylint_flags(settings):
     return ' '.join(pylint_args)
 
 
+@hookimpl
+def pyls_settings():
+    # Default pylint to disabled because it requires a config
+    # file to be useful.
+    return {'plugins': {'pylint': {'enabled': False, 'args': []}}}
+
+
 @hookimpl
 def pyls_lint(config, document, is_saved):
     settings = config.plugin_settings('pylint')
diff --git a/vscode-client/package.json b/vscode-client/package.json
index af6b1523..eb4faeea 100644
--- a/vscode-client/package.json
+++ b/vscode-client/package.json
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@
                 },
                 "pyls.plugins.pylint.enabled": {
                     "type": "boolean",
-                    "default": true,
+                    "default": false,
                     "description": "Enable or disable the plugin."
                 },
                 "pyls.plugins.pylint.args": {