diff --git a/templates.fif.json b/templates.fif.json
index a74f0468..95851d29 100644
--- a/templates.fif.json
+++ b/templates.fif.json
@@ -585,6 +585,7 @@
             },
             "settings": {
                 "BOOTFROM": "c",
+                "DESKTOP": "gnome",
                 "HDD_1": "disk_%FLAVOR%_%MACHINE%.qcow2",
                 "STARTSTOP": "true",
                 "START_AFTER_TEST": "%DEPLOY_UPLOAD_TEST%"