diff --git a/whisperx/asr.py b/whisperx/asr.py
index c71c90a..6de9490 100644
--- a/whisperx/asr.py
+++ b/whisperx/asr.py
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ def load_model(
     asr_options: Optional[dict] = None,
     language: Optional[str] = None,
     vad_model: Optional[Vad]= None,
-    vad_method: Optional[str] = None,
+    vad_method: Optional[str] = "pyannote",
     vad_options: Optional[dict] = None,
     model: Optional[WhisperModel] = None,
     task="transcribe",