diff --git a/src/osmo-bsc/gsm_data.c b/src/osmo-bsc/gsm_data.c
index 15853fbae..774238be2 100644
--- a/src/osmo-bsc/gsm_data.c
+++ b/src/osmo-bsc/gsm_data.c
@@ -852,7 +852,7 @@ struct gsm_bts *gsm_bts_alloc(struct gsm_network *net, uint8_t bts_num)
 	bts->dtxu = GSM48_DTX_SHALL_NOT_BE_USED;
 	bts->dtxd = false;
 	bts->gprs.ctrl_ack_type_use_block = true; /* use RLC/MAC control block */
-	bts->neigh_list_manual_mode = 0;
+	bts->neigh_list_manual_mode = NL_MODE_AUTOMATIC;
 	bts->early_classmark_allowed_3g = true; /* 3g Early Classmark Sending controlled by bts->early_classmark_allowed param */
 	bts->si_common.cell_sel_par.cell_resel_hyst = 2; /* 4 dB */
 	bts->si_common.cell_sel_par.rxlev_acc_min = 0;