diff --git a/lib/pure/streams.nim b/lib/pure/streams.nim
index 3be47744ca..406a0ec6e8 100644
--- a/lib/pure/streams.nim
+++ b/lib/pure/streams.nim
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ when not defined(js):
     result.writeDataImpl = fsWriteData
     result.flushImpl = fsFlush
 
-  proc newFileStream*(filename: string, mode: FileMode): FileStream =
+  proc newFileStream*(filename: string, mode: FileMode = fmRead): FileStream =
     ## creates a new stream from the file named `filename` with the mode `mode`.
     ## If the file cannot be opened, nil is returned. See the `system
     ## <system.html>`_ module for a list of available FileMode enums.