diff --git a/hw/ppc_newworld.c b/hw/ppc_newworld.c
index cf1a840265..6f60e4967c 100644
--- a/hw/ppc_newworld.c
+++ b/hw/ppc_newworld.c
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ static void ppc_core99_init (ram_addr_t ram_size, int vga_ram_size,
 
     /* init CPUs */
     if (cpu_model == NULL)
-        cpu_model = "default";
+        cpu_model = "G4";
     for (i = 0; i < smp_cpus; i++) {
         env = cpu_init(cpu_model);
         if (!env) {