diff --git a/config/aerc.conf b/config/aerc.conf
index 6208f5d..316e7f3 100644
--- a/config/aerc.conf
+++ b/config/aerc.conf
@@ -35,22 +35,22 @@ timestamp-format=2006-01-02 03:04 PM
 # Index-only time format for messages that were received/sent today.
 # If this is not specified, timestamp-format is used instead.
 #
-# Default: "03:04 PM" (12 hour time)
-this-day-time-format=03:04 PM
+# Default: ""
+#this-day-time-format=03:04 PM
 
 #
 # Index-only time format for messages that were received/sent within the last
 # 7 days. If this is not specified, timestamp-format is used instead.
 #
-# Default: "Monday 03:04 PM" (Week day + 12 hour time)
-this-week-time-format=Monday 03:04 PM
+# Default: ""
+#this-week-time-format=Monday 03:04 PM
 
 #
 # Index-only time format for messages that were received/sent this year.
 # If this is not specified, timestamp-format is used instead.
 #
-# Default: "January 02" (Month + month day)
-this-year-time-format=January 02
+# Default: ""
+#this-year-time-format=January 02
 
 #
 # Width of the sidebar, including the border.
diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 61ee3b3..24a1b50 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -736,9 +736,9 @@ func LoadConfigFromFile(root *string, accts []string) (*AercConfig, error) {
 		Ui: UIConfig{
 			IndexFormat:        "%-20.20D %-17.17n %Z %s",
 			TimestampFormat:    "2006-01-02 03:04 PM",
-			ThisDayTimeFormat:  "03:04 PM",
-			ThisWeekTimeFormat: "Monday 03:04 PM",
-			ThisYearTimeFormat: "January 02",
+			ThisDayTimeFormat:  "",
+			ThisWeekTimeFormat: "",
+			ThisYearTimeFormat: "",
 			ShowHeaders: []string{
 				"From", "To", "Cc", "Bcc", "Subject", "Date",
 			},
diff --git a/doc/aerc-config.5.scd b/doc/aerc-config.5.scd
index 55f82cc..d6b56fa 100644
--- a/doc/aerc-config.5.scd
+++ b/doc/aerc-config.5.scd
@@ -106,20 +106,20 @@ These options are configured in the *[ui]* section of aerc.conf.
 	Index-only time format for messages that were received/sent today.
 	If this is not specified, *timestamp-format* is used instead.
 
-	Default: "03:04 PM" (12 hour time)
+	Default: ""
 
 *this-week-time-format*
 	Index-only time format for messages that were received/sent within the
 	last 7 days. If this is not specified, *timestamp-format* is used
 	instead.
 
-	Default: "Monday 03:04 PM" (Week day + 12 hour time)
+	Default: ""
 
 *this-year-time-format*
 	Index-only time format for messages that were received/sent this year.
 	If this is not specified, *timestamp-format* is used instead.
 
-	Default: "January 02" (Month + month day)
+	Default: ""
 
 *sidebar-width*
 	Width of the sidebar, including the border. Set to zero to disable the