diff --git a/config/site_settings.yml b/config/site_settings.yml
index c53d526ee..ca8e562ed 100644
--- a/config/site_settings.yml
+++ b/config/site_settings.yml
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ files:
     type: list
     default: ''
   create_thumbnails: true
-  clean_up_uploads: false
+  clean_up_uploads: true
   clean_orphan_uploads_grace_period_hours: 1
   purge_deleted_uploads_grace_period_days: 30
   prevent_anons_from_downloading_files: