diff --git a/src/3d/qgsdirectionallightsettings.h b/src/3d/qgsdirectionallightsettings.h
index 1d0d47d423e2..a2a10c77cd61 100644
--- a/src/3d/qgsdirectionallightsettings.h
+++ b/src/3d/qgsdirectionallightsettings.h
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class _3D_EXPORT QgsDirectionalLightSettings
     bool operator==( const QgsDirectionalLightSettings &other );
 
   private:
-    QgsVector3D mDirection = QgsVector3D( 0.0, -1.0, 0.0 );
+    QgsVector3D mDirection { -0.32, -0.91, -0.27 };
     QColor mColor = Qt::white;
     float mIntensity = 0.5;
 };