diff --git a/includes/PopupsContext.php b/includes/PopupsContext.php
index 699d406f9..dde08509a 100644
--- a/includes/PopupsContext.php
+++ b/includes/PopupsContext.php
@@ -158,6 +158,12 @@ class PopupsContext {
 				self::REFERENCE_PREVIEWS_PREFERENCE_NAME
 			);
 		}
+
+		// if not in Beta then enable for anonymous users
+		if ( $user->isAnon() ) {
+			return true;
+		}
+
 		return $user->getBoolOption( self::REFERENCE_PREVIEWS_PREFERENCE_NAME_AFTER_BETA );
 	}
 
diff --git a/includes/PopupsHooks.php b/includes/PopupsHooks.php
index f96d871b8..06f30c361 100644
--- a/includes/PopupsHooks.php
+++ b/includes/PopupsHooks.php
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ class PopupsHooks {
 		if ( $config->get( 'PopupsReferencePreviews' ) &&
 			!$config->get( 'PopupsReferencePreviewsBetaFeature' )
 		) {
-			$defaultOptions[PopupsContext::REFERENCE_PREVIEWS_PREFERENCE_NAME_AFTER_BETA] = $default;
+			$defaultOptions[PopupsContext::REFERENCE_PREVIEWS_PREFERENCE_NAME_AFTER_BETA] = '1';
 		}
 	}