diff --git a/wexpect/__init__.py b/wexpect/__init__.py
index 7d59a17..0adc3e3 100644
--- a/wexpect/__init__.py
+++ b/wexpect/__init__.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import pkg_resources
 try:
     spawn_class_name = os.environ['WEXPECT_SPAWN_CLASS']
 except KeyError:
-    spawn_class_name = 'legacy_wexpect'
+    spawn_class_name = 'SpawnPipe'
 
 if spawn_class_name == 'legacy_wexpect':
     from .legacy_wexpect import ExceptionPexpect