diff --git a/C/exec.c b/C/exec.c
index f773f3596..78e3ddb7e 100644
--- a/C/exec.c
+++ b/C/exec.c
@@ -1651,7 +1651,7 @@ Yap_InitYaamRegs(void)
   WPP = NULL;
   PREG_ADDR = NULL;
 #endif
-  Yap_AllocateDefaultArena(1024*1024, 2);
+  Yap_AllocateDefaultArena(128*1024, 2);
   Yap_PreAllocCodeSpace();
 #ifdef CUT_C
   cut_c_initialize();