diff --git a/js/common/GOGlobalOptions.ts b/js/common/GOGlobalOptions.ts
index 774e3346..e4c0a626 100644
--- a/js/common/GOGlobalOptions.ts
+++ b/js/common/GOGlobalOptions.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@ import StringIO from '../../../tandem/js/types/StringIO.js';
 // constants
 const optionsTandem = Tandem.GLOBAL_VIEW.createTandem( 'options' );
 
+// If focalLengthControl query parameter was not in the URL, change the default.
+if ( !QueryStringMachine.containsKey( 'focalLengthControl' ) ) {
+  GOQueryParameters.focalLengthControl = 'direct';
+}
+
 const GOGlobalOptions = {
 
   focalLengthControlTypeProperty: