diff --git a/default.cfg b/default.cfg
index 6547499..ffeab75 100644
--- a/default.cfg
+++ b/default.cfg
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ sp_ptr_star_paren               = ignore   # ignore/add/remove/force
 sp_before_ptr_star_func         = ignore   # ignore/add/remove/force
 
 # Add or remove space before a reference sign '&'.
-sp_before_byref                 = ignore   # ignore/add/remove/force
+sp_before_byref                 = remove   # ignore/add/remove/force
 
 # Add or remove space before a reference sign '&' that isn't followed by a
 # variable name. If set to 'ignore', sp_before_byref is used instead.