diff --git a/docs/index.html b/docs/index.html
index 4b776b4..dcaa6b9 100644
--- a/docs/index.html
+++ b/docs/index.html
@@ -128,7 +128,6 @@ Longer code segments are often set in a box.
  <li>Run @init more often (e.g. when device re-connects or paused IOC is resumed).
  <li>Use "COMM" error code in .STAT when device is disconnected.
  <li>Allow spaces in protocol parameter list.
- <li>Errors are new silent by default (var streamError 0) except during init.
  <li>Support output redirect of all shell functions.
  <li>Fix building shared libraries on Windows.
  <li>Fix some C++11 warnings.
diff --git a/docs/setup.html b/docs/setup.html
index 4eeac38..85f8a7c 100644
--- a/docs/setup.html
+++ b/docs/setup.html
@@ -382,10 +382,10 @@ See the <a href="protocol.html">next chapter</a> for protocol files in depth.
 <p>
 Generation of debug and error messages is controlled with two shell variables,
 <code>streamDebug</code> and <code>streamError</code>.
-Per default no debug messages are printed and error messages are only printed
-while loading protocol files.
 Setting those variables to 1 (actually to any number but 0) enables the
 messages.
+Per default debug messages are switched off and error messages are switched on.
+Errors occuring while loading protocol files are always shown.
 </p>
 <p>
 Warning: Enabling debug messages can create a lot of output!
diff --git a/src/StreamError.cc b/src/StreamError.cc
index 192a839..0261783 100644
--- a/src/StreamError.cc
+++ b/src/StreamError.cc
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 #include <stdio.h>
 
 int streamDebug = 0;
-int streamError = 0;
+int streamError = 1;
 extern "C" {
 #ifdef _WIN32
 __declspec(dllexport)