diff --git a/src/pika_config_valid.h b/src/pika_config_valid.h
index 0621ca33b..589d990b4 100644
--- a/src/pika_config_valid.h
+++ b/src/pika_config_valid.h
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
     #endif
 
     #ifndef PIKA_READ_FILE_BUFF_SIZE
-        #define PIKA_READ_FILE_BUFF_SIZE 0x10000
+        #define PIKA_READ_FILE_BUFF_SIZE 0x1024 * 10
     #endif
 
     #ifndef PIKA_INIT_STRING_ENABLE