diff --git a/openhands/core/config/sandbox_config.py b/openhands/core/config/sandbox_config.py
index f5b984fec0b9..3ed15a01ecb2 100644
--- a/openhands/core/config/sandbox_config.py
+++ b/openhands/core/config/sandbox_config.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class SandboxConfig(BaseModel):
 
     remote_runtime_api_url: str = Field(default='http://localhost:8000')
     local_runtime_url: str = Field(default='http://localhost')
-    keep_runtime_alive: bool = Field(default=False)
+    keep_runtime_alive: bool = Field(default=True)
     rm_all_containers: bool = Field(default=False)
     api_key: str | None = Field(default=None)
     base_container_image: str = Field(