diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/common/21-debug.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/common/21-debug.js
index 2a76eb401..c77a50c22 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/common/21-debug.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/common/21-debug.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
         if (this.complete === "false") { this.complete = "payload"; }
         this.console = ""+(n.console || false);
         this.tostatus = n.tostatus || false;
-        this.statusType = n.statusType || "msg";
+        this.statusType = n.statusType || "auto";
         this.statusVal = n.statusVal || this.complete;
         this.tosidebar = n.tosidebar;
         if (this.tosidebar === undefined) { this.tosidebar = true; }