diff --git a/lib/actions/ui.js b/lib/actions/ui.js
index d9bca1bf..0ca2b0a5 100644
--- a/lib/actions/ui.js
+++ b/lib/actions/ui.js
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ export function moveTo (i) {
 }
 
 export function showPreferences () {
+  const editorFallback = process.platform === 'win32' ? 'notepad' : 'nano';
   return (dispatch, getState) => {
     dispatch({
       type: UI_SHOW_PREFERENCES,
@@ -150,7 +151,7 @@ export function showPreferences () {
               // Leading space prevents command to be store in shell history
               [' echo Attempting to open ~/.hyperterm.js with your \$EDITOR', // eslint-disable-line no-useless-escape
                ' echo If it fails, open it manually with your favorite editor!',
-               ' bash -c "exec env $EDITOR ~/.hyperterm.js"',
+               ' bash -c "exec env ${EDITOR:=' + editorFallback + '} ~/.hyperterm.js"',
                ''
               ].join('\n')
             ));