diff --git a/qubesmanager/settings.py b/qubesmanager/settings.py
index 7beb8bf..fcb749d 100755
--- a/qubesmanager/settings.py
+++ b/qubesmanager/settings.py
@@ -648,7 +648,7 @@ class VMSettingsWindow(ui_settingsdlg.Ui_SettingsDialog, QtGui.QDialog):
                 None,
                 allow_default=True, allow_none=True)
             self.kernel.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.kernel_changed)
-            self.kernel_opts.setText(getattr(self.vm, 'kernelopts', '[]'))
+            self.kernel_opts.setText(getattr(self.vm, 'kernelopts', '-'))
         else:
             self.kernel_groupbox.setVisible(False)