diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index 0c7ad9b5..e8c9c902 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ byobu (5.17) unreleased; urgency=low
     - performance improvement, testing for directory existence before
       mkdir -p saves time
     - localize a couple of function variables
+  * usr/bin/byobu: LP: #966686
+    - ensure that the MOTD gets printed on byobu-tmux first launches
 
   [ Fumihito YOSHIDA (hito) ]
   * usr/lib/byobu/logo: LP: #952724
diff --git a/usr/bin/byobu b/usr/bin/byobu
index 3ce49c3c..19ab67a1 100755
--- a/usr/bin/byobu
+++ b/usr/bin/byobu
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ case $BYOBU_BACKEND in
 			fi
 		fi
 		BYOBU_PROFILE="-f $BYOBU_PREFIX/share/$PKG/profiles/tmuxrc"
+		DEFAULT_WINDOW="new-session ${BYOBU_PREFIX}/bin/byobu-shell"
 		sessions=$($BYOBU_BACKEND list-sessions 2>/dev/null) || true
 	;;
 	screen)