diff --git a/menuinst/__init__.py b/menuinst/__init__.py
index 19d7014c..dfe3b3ad 100644
--- a/menuinst/__init__.py
+++ b/menuinst/__init__.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 def install(path, remove=False, root_prefix=None,
             target_prefix=sys.prefix, env_name=None,
-            env_setup_cmd=None):
+            env_setup_cmd="activate"):
     """
     install Menu and shortcuts
 
diff --git a/menuinst/win32.py b/menuinst/win32.py
index 55e4edbd..46fb10d6 100644
--- a/menuinst/win32.py
+++ b/menuinst/win32.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ def __init__(self, menu, shortcut, target_prefix, env_name, env_setup_cmd):
         self.shortcut = shortcut
         self.prefix = target_prefix
         self.env_name = env_name
-        self.env_setup_cmd = env_setup_cmd
+        self.env_setup_cmd = env_setup_cmd if env_setup_cmd else "activate %s" % self.prefix
 
     def remove(self):
         self.create(remove=True)