diff --git a/syft/cataloging/filecataloging/config.go b/syft/cataloging/filecataloging/config.go
index d7201eed11a..2dd37e84c11 100644
--- a/syft/cataloging/filecataloging/config.go
+++ b/syft/cataloging/filecataloging/config.go
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ func DefaultConfig() Config {
 		log.WithFields("error", err).Warn("unable to create file hashers")
 	}
 	return Config{
+		Enabled:    true,
 		Selection:  file.FilesOwnedByPackageSelection,
 		Hashers:    hashers,
 		Content:    filecontent.DefaultConfig(),