diff --git a/plugin/command-t.vim b/plugin/command-t.vim
index f21fbd2e..f256cce1 100644
--- a/plugin/command-t.vim
+++ b/plugin/command-t.vim
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ let g:command_t_loaded = 1
 
 command! -nargs=+ CommandTOpen call commandt#GotoOrOpen(<q-args>)
 
+if empty(&switchbuf)
+  set switchbuf=usetab
+endif
+
 " HACK: use both old and new during early development
 if has('patch-7-4-1829') && get(g:, 'CommandTEngine', 'mirkwood') ==? 'isengard'
   call commandt#isengard#init()