diff --git a/programs/fio-setup-basic/setup b/programs/fio-setup-basic/setup
index 6042749e0..dbc30c1bc 100755
--- a/programs/fio-setup-basic/setup
+++ b/programs/fio-setup-basic/setup
@@ -158,6 +158,10 @@ donorname=$donorname
 "
 fi
 
+if [ -z "${buffered+x}" ]; then
+	buffered=$((1 - direct))
+fi
+
 buffered=$(parse_bool $buffered)
 create_task="
 $create_task