diff --git a/env/env.zsh b/env/env.zsh
index c619688..88c95c6 100755
--- a/env/env.zsh
+++ b/env/env.zsh
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ RD_PATH="$HOME/RentDynamics"
 SCHOOL_DIR="$HOME/School"
 DOTWRYN="$HOME/.wryn"
 
+# ordered from least-preferred to most-preferred
+PREFERRED_EDITOR=(vi vim)
+
 LOCAL_OVERRIDES="$HOME/.config/wryn/env.zsh"
 [ -f "$LOCAL_OVERRIDES" ] \
 	&& source "$LOCAL_OVERRIDES" \