diff --git a/GPy/models/state_space_xt_sep.py b/GPy/models/state_space_xt_sep.py
index 27193e01..a3b7cfb3 100644
--- a/GPy/models/state_space_xt_sep.py
+++ b/GPy/models/state_space_xt_sep.py
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ class StateSpace_1(Model):
 
         # Default kernel
         if kernel is None:
-            self.kern = kern.Matern32(1,lengthscale=0.5)
-            self.spacekern = kern.rbf(1,lengthscale=0.5)
+            self.kern = kern.Matern32(1,lengthscale=0.1)
+            self.spacekern = kern.rbf(1,lengthscale=0.1)
         else:
             self.kern = kernel