diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 046c96beb..14badced7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -314,9 +314,13 @@ the documentation for more details.
 ## Editing Styles
 
 Spacemacs can be used by Vim users or Emacs users by setting the
-`dotspacemacs-editing-style` variable to `vim` or `emacs` in the dotfile
+`dotspacemacs-editing-style` variable to `'vim` or `'emacs` in the dotfile
 `~/.spacemacs`.
 
+You can also set the variable automatically when generating `.spacemacs` file by
+executing the command <kbd>M-x dotspacemacs/install</kbd>. Spacemacs then asks
+you an editing style and create `.spacemacs` file with appropriate editing style.
+
 ## The leader key
 
 `Spacemacs` key bindings use a leader key which is by default bound to
diff --git a/core/core-dotspacemacs.el b/core/core-dotspacemacs.el
index d5e024680..ba1efdd5a 100644
--- a/core/core-dotspacemacs.el
+++ b/core/core-dotspacemacs.el
@@ -188,8 +188,13 @@ before installing the file if the destination already exists."
                (format "%s already exists. Do you want to overwite it ? "
                        dotfile)) t)))
     (when install
-      (copy-file (concat dotspacemacs-template-directory
-                         ".spacemacs.template") dotfile t)
+      (with-current-buffer (find-file-noselect (concat dotspacemacs-template-directory
+                                                       ".spacemacs.template"))
+        (re-search-forward "\$editing-style")
+        (replace-match (if (y-or-n-p "Do you want to use Vim style editing? (press \"n\" to choose Emacs)")
+                           "'vim"
+                         "'emacs"))
+        (write-file dotfile))
       (message "%s has been installed." dotfile))))
 
 (defun dotspacemacs/load-file ()
diff --git a/core/templates/.spacemacs.template b/core/templates/.spacemacs.template
index f55c44d6c..070fa38f9 100644
--- a/core/templates/.spacemacs.template
+++ b/core/templates/.spacemacs.template
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ before layers configuration."
   (setq-default
    ;; Either `vim' or `emacs'. Evil is always enabled but if the variable
    ;; is `emacs' then the `holy-mode' is enabled at startup.
-   dotspacemacs-editing-style 'vim
+   dotspacemacs-editing-style $editing-style
    ;; Specify the startup banner. Default value is `official', it displays
    ;; the official spacemacs logo. An integer value is the index of text
    ;; banner, `random' chooses a random text banner in `core/banners'