diff --git a/scheme/nuit-engine.scm b/scheme/nuit-engine.scm
index a21e686..c49033d 100644
--- a/scheme/nuit-engine.scm
+++ b/scheme/nuit-engine.scm
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+(define initial-command-mode 'command)
+
 (define-syntax when
   (syntax-rules ()
     ((_ ?test ?do-this ...)
@@ -15,7 +17,7 @@
 	 val)))))
 
 ;; mode of the command buffer
-(define *command-buffer-mode* 'scheme)
+(define *command-buffer-mode* initial-command-mode)
 
 (define (command-buffer-in-scheme-mode?)
   (eq? *command-buffer-mode* 'scheme))