diff --git a/core/siren-core-ui.el b/core/siren-core-ui.el
index 42960b11..790f1e22 100644
--- a/core/siren-core-ui.el
+++ b/core/siren-core-ui.el
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@
 
 (menu-bar-mode -1)
 
+;; disable UI-based dialog boxes
+(setq use-dialog-box nil)
+
 ;; disable startup screen
 (setq inhibit-startup-screen t)