diff --git a/IPython/core/magic.py b/IPython/core/magic.py
index 0422f62..94a7d14 100644
--- a/IPython/core/magic.py
+++ b/IPython/core/magic.py
@@ -983,7 +983,7 @@ Currently the magic system has the following functions:\n"""
             ans = True
         else:
             ans = self.shell.ask_yes_no(
-                "Once deleted, variables cannot be recovered. Proceed (y/[n])? ")
+                "Once deleted, variables cannot be recovered. Proceed (y/[n])? ", default='n')
         if not ans:
             print 'Nothing done.'
             return