diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 5629644..b7cd91d 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ one per merged pull request.
 
 ## 1.1.0 - 2026-09-25
 
-- **feat: HDMI-CEC** (experimental, never ticked by default, on every PC)
+- **feat: HDMI-CEC** (experimental, on every PC; ticked by default only on a
+  Steam Machine)
   - Valve's `cecd`, `cec-audio-control` and `inputattach-cec-units` from its
     SteamOS repository (SHA-256 checked): use Steam with the TV remote, and
     the TV turns on and off with the PC. On a Steam Machine, steamos-manager
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 335df1e..350b9cb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -27,14 +27,16 @@ Steam Machine.
    ([details](TECHNICAL.md#single-user-mode-sddm-no-locking)).
 5. **Steamify shortcut** - an icon on the desktop and in the launcher that
    opens the newest Steamify, so you don't need the install command again.
-6. **HDMI-CEC** (experimental, off by default) - use Steam with your TV's
+6. **HDMI-CEC** (experimental; off by default, on by default on a Steam
+   Machine) - use Steam with your TV's
    remote, and the TV turns on and off with the PC. Needs a GPU with CEC (like
    the Steam Machine) or a USB CEC adapter
    ([details](TECHNICAL.md#hdmi-cec)).
 
 ## Steam Machine
 
-On a Valve Steam Machine the menu has two more items:
+On a Valve Steam Machine **HDMI-CEC** is ticked by default, as on SteamOS,
+and the menu has two more items:
 
 - **Steam Machine support** - the front **LED bar** works, Steam's
   **hardware settings** (fan, performance) work, and the power
diff --git a/TECHNICAL.md b/TECHNICAL.md
index cecc9dd..a66f85f 100644
--- a/TECHNICAL.md
+++ b/TECHNICAL.md
@@ -171,7 +171,8 @@ missing `-headers` package, which makes DKMS build the driver for it.
 
 ## HDMI-CEC
 
-The **HDMI-CEC** item (on every PC, never ticked by default) installs
+The **HDMI-CEC** item (on every PC; ticked by default only on a Steam
+Machine) installs
 Valve's CEC stack from its SteamOS `holo` repository, the newest `holo-X.Y`
 on `steamdeck-packages.steamos.cloud`, each package checked against the
 SHA-256 in Valve's package index:
diff --git a/lib/menu.sh b/lib/menu.sh
index a7d524d..ebf6898 100644
--- a/lib/menu.sh
+++ b/lib/menu.sh
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ ACTIONS=(bios)
 declare -A PARENT=([boot]=gaming [kpin]=machine)
 # Never preselected on a first run: booting into the desktop is a choice,
 # gamescope is the default; HDMI-CEC is opt-in (it can wake the machine or
-# upset other devices on the TV, even on SteamOS).
+# upset other devices on the TV, even on SteamOS), except on a Steam Machine,
+# which has CEC like on SteamOS.
 NO_PRESELECT=(boot cec)
 
 declare -A LABEL=(
@@ -74,6 +75,7 @@ detect_components() {
             component_available "$c" && ! is_action "$c" &&
                 [[ " ${NO_PRESELECT[*]} " != *" $c "* ]] && WANTED[$c]=1
         done
+        machine_available && WANTED[cec]=1
     fi
 }