diff --git a/lib/elements/fill_stitch.py b/lib/elements/fill_stitch.py
index 62bd1aca8..91cad563d 100644
--- a/lib/elements/fill_stitch.py
+++ b/lib/elements/fill_stitch.py
@@ -352,14 +352,14 @@ class FillStitch(EmbroideryElement):
                      'Also used for meander and circular fill.'),
            unit='mm',
            type='float',
-           default=1.5,
+           default=2.5,
            select_items=[('fill_method', 'auto_fill'),
                          ('fill_method', 'guided_fill'),
                          ('fill_method', 'meander_fill'),
                          ('fill_method', 'circular_fill')],
            sort_index=31)
     def running_stitch_length(self):
-        return max(self.get_float_param("running_stitch_length_mm", 1.5), 0.01)
+        return max(self.get_float_param("running_stitch_length_mm", 2.5), 0.01)
 
     @property
     @param('running_stitch_tolerance_mm',
diff --git a/lib/elements/stroke.py b/lib/elements/stroke.py
index db044a2c0..ac54908b8 100644
--- a/lib/elements/stroke.py
+++ b/lib/elements/stroke.py
@@ -101,10 +101,10 @@ class Stroke(EmbroideryElement):
            unit='mm',
            type='float',
            select_items=[('stroke_method', 'running_stitch'), ('stroke_method', 'ripple_stitch')],
-           default=1.5,
+           default=2.5,
            sort_index=4)
     def running_stitch_length(self):
-        return max(self.get_float_param("running_stitch_length_mm", 1.5), 0.01)
+        return max(self.get_float_param("running_stitch_length_mm", 2.5), 0.01)
 
     @property
     @param('running_stitch_tolerance_mm',
diff --git a/lib/update.py b/lib/update.py
index 126f8ec12..b0bfcdfaa 100644
--- a/lib/update.py
+++ b/lib/update.py
@@ -112,6 +112,9 @@ def _update_to_one(element):  # noqa: C901
     # default setting for fill_underlay has changed
     if legacy_attribs and not element.get_param('fill_underlay', ""):
         element.set_param('fill_underlay', False)
+    # default setting for running stitch length has changed (fills and strokes, not satins)
+    if not element.get_boolean_param('satin_column', False) and element.get_float_param('running_stitch_length_mm', None) is None:
+        element.set_param('running_stitch_length_mm', 1.5)
 
     # convert legacy stroke_method
     if element.get_style("stroke") and not element.node.get('inkscape:connection-start', None):