diff --git a/libs/pageserver_api/src/models.rs b/libs/pageserver_api/src/models.rs
index 30c1dd2466..5488f7b2c2 100644
--- a/libs/pageserver_api/src/models.rs
+++ b/libs/pageserver_api/src/models.rs
@@ -1084,7 +1084,7 @@ pub mod virtual_file {
 
     impl IoMode {
         pub const fn preferred() -> Self {
-            Self::Direct
+            Self::Buffered
         }
     }