diff --git a/apps/smime.c b/apps/smime.c
index c583f8a0e..d1fe32d31 100644
--- a/apps/smime.c
+++ b/apps/smime.c
@@ -541,8 +541,8 @@ int MAIN(int argc, char **argv)
 		{
 		if (!cipher)
 			{
-#ifndef OPENSSL_NO_RC2			
-			cipher = EVP_rc2_40_cbc();
+#ifndef OPENSSL_NO_DES			
+			cipher = EVP_des_ede3_cbc();
 #else
 			BIO_printf(bio_err, "No cipher selected\n");
 			goto end;
diff --git a/doc/apps/smime.pod b/doc/apps/smime.pod
index 3aa6e848a..d39a59a90 100644
--- a/doc/apps/smime.pod
+++ b/doc/apps/smime.pod
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ EVP_get_cipherbyname() function) can also be used preceded by a dash, for
 example B<-aes_128_cbc>. See L<B<enc>|enc(1)> for list of ciphers
 supported by your version of OpenSSL.
 
-If not specified 40 bit RC2 is used. Only used with B<-encrypt>.
+If not specified triple DES is used. Only used with B<-encrypt>.
 
 =item B<-nointern>