diff --git a/direct/src/directscripts/python-mode.el b/direct/src/directscripts/python-mode.el
index 6de23b01c5..86812473f1 100644
--- a/direct/src/directscripts/python-mode.el
+++ b/direct/src/directscripts/python-mode.el
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ mode buffer is visited during an Emacs session.  After that, use
 		 (const :tag "JPython" jpython))
   :group 'python)
 
-(defcustom py-python-command-args '("-i")
+(defcustom py-python-command-args '("-u" "-i")
   "*List of string arguments to be used when starting a Python shell."
   :type '(repeat string)
   :group 'python)