diff --git a/cmd/ipfs/daemon.go b/cmd/ipfs/daemon.go
index 5705c3adc8e..ba915aa61dd 100644
--- a/cmd/ipfs/daemon.go
+++ b/cmd/ipfs/daemon.go
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ Headers.
 		cmdkit.BoolOption(adjustFDLimitKwd, "Check and raise file descriptor limits if needed").WithDefault(true),
 		cmdkit.BoolOption(offlineKwd, "Run offline. Do not connect to the rest of the network but provide local API."),
 		cmdkit.BoolOption(migrateKwd, "If true, assume yes at the migrate prompt. If false, assume no."),
-		cmdkit.BoolOption(enableFloodSubKwd, "Instantiate the ipfs daemon with the experimental pubsub feature enabled."),
+		cmdkit.BoolOption(enableFloodSubKwd, "Instantiate the ipfs daemon with the experimental pubsub feature enabled.").WithDefault(true),
 		cmdkit.BoolOption(enableIPNSPubSubKwd, "Enable IPNS record distribution through pubsub; enables pubsub."),
 		cmdkit.BoolOption(enableMultiplexKwd, "Add the experimental 'go-multiplex' stream muxer to libp2p on construction.").WithDefault(true),