diff --git a/src/composer/qgscomposermap.cpp b/src/composer/qgscomposermap.cpp
index c76f05bfe670..e40de9a8ad80 100644
--- a/src/composer/qgscomposermap.cpp
+++ b/src/composer/qgscomposermap.cpp
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ void QgsComposerMap::init ()
     mPreviewModeComboBox->setCurrentItem ( Cache );
 
     mWidthScale = 1.0 / mComposition->scale();
-    mSymbolScale = 1.0;
+    mSymbolScale = 0.5;
     mFontScale = 1.0;
 
     mFrame = true;