diff --git a/searx/search.py b/searx/search.py
index bb440352b..5054ce798 100644
--- a/searx/search.py
+++ b/searx/search.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from operator import itemgetter
 from Queue import Queue
 from time import time
 from urlparse import urlparse, unquote
+from searx import settings
 from searx.engines import (
     categories, engines
 )
@@ -480,9 +481,9 @@ class Search(object):
 
             try:
                 # 0 = None, 1 = Moderate, 2 = Strict
-                request_params['safesearch'] = int(request.cookies.get('safesearch', 1))
+                request_params['safesearch'] = int(request.cookies.get('safesearch'))
             except ValueError:
-                request_params['safesearch'] = 1
+                request_params['safesearch'] = settings['search']['safe_search']
 
             # update request parameters dependent on
             # search-engine (contained in engines folder)
diff --git a/searx/webapp.py b/searx/webapp.py
index 4292b32d7..06f246620 100644
--- a/searx/webapp.py
+++ b/searx/webapp.py
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ def render(template_name, override_theme=None, **kwargs):
 
     kwargs['method'] = request.cookies.get('method', 'POST')
 
-    kwargs['safesearch'] = request.cookies.get('safesearch', '1')
+    kwargs['safesearch'] = request.cookies.get('safesearch', str(settings['search']['safe_search']))
 
     # override url_for function in templates
     kwargs['url_for'] = url_for_theme
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ def preferences():
         locale = None
         autocomplete = ''
         method = 'POST'
-        safesearch = '1'
+        safesearch = settings['search']['safe_search']
         for pd_name, pd in request.form.items():
             if pd_name.startswith('category_'):
                 category = pd_name[9:]