diff --git a/kitty/config.py b/kitty/config.py
index c5859c6b5..a93b5b3f3 100644
--- a/kitty/config.py
+++ b/kitty/config.py
@@ -485,5 +485,5 @@ def prepare_config_file_for_editing():
         except FileExistsError:
             pass
         with open(defconf, 'w') as f:
-            f.write(commented_out_default_config)
+            f.write(commented_out_default_config())
     return defconf