diff --git a/src/text_symbolizer.cpp b/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
index 62a9fdb39..f707525d5 100644
--- a/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ text_symbolizer::text_symbolizer(expression_ptr name, std::string const& face_na
       label_spacing_(0),
       label_position_tolerance_(0),
       force_odd_labels_(false),
-      max_char_angle_delta_(0.0),
+      max_char_angle_delta_(25.0 * M_PI/180.0),
       fill_(fill),
       halo_fill_(color(255,255,255)),
       halo_radius_(0),
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ text_symbolizer::text_symbolizer(expression_ptr name, unsigned size, color const
       label_spacing_(0),
       label_position_tolerance_(0),
       force_odd_labels_(false),
-      max_char_angle_delta_(0.0),
+      max_char_angle_delta_(25.0 * M_PI/180.0),
       fill_(fill),
       halo_fill_(color(255,255,255)),
       halo_radius_(0),