diff --git a/vl.c b/vl.c
index 48049ef..8adc40b 100644
--- a/vl.c
+++ b/vl.c
@@ -2349,7 +2349,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv, char **envp)
     const char *icount_option = NULL;
     const char *initrd_filename;
     const char *kernel_filename, *kernel_cmdline;
-    char boot_devices[33] = "cad"; /* default to HD->floppy->CD-ROM */
+    char boot_devices[33] = "xcad"; /* default to NVRAM->HD->floppy->CD-ROM */
     DisplayState *ds;
     DisplayChangeListener *dcl;
     int cyls, heads, secs, translation;