diff --git a/shell/launchconfiguration.cpp b/shell/launchconfiguration.cpp
--- a/shell/launchconfiguration.cpp
+++ b/shell/launchconfiguration.cpp
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@
     : QObject( parent ), ILaunchConfiguration(), baseGroup( grp ), m_project( project )
 {
     m_type = Core::self()->runControllerInternal()->launchConfigurationTypeForId( grp.readEntry(LaunchConfigurationTypeEntry(), "") );
+    // TODO: find a proper way to set default values
+    setLauncherForMode("debug", "gdb");
 }
 
 LaunchConfiguration::~LaunchConfiguration()