diff --git a/man/systemctl.xml b/man/systemctl.xml
index 683f2e740..c233543d7 100644
--- a/man/systemctl.xml
+++ b/man/systemctl.xml
@@ -970,7 +970,7 @@ along with systemd; If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
         <listitem>
           <para>Enter default mode. This is mostly equivalent to
-          <command>start default.target</command>.</para>
+          <command>isolate default.target</command>.</para>
         </listitem>
       </varlistentry>
       <varlistentry>
diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
index 509651c1f..0f19c25ce 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
@@ -1598,7 +1598,8 @@ static int start_unit(DBusConnection *bus, char **args) {
                 mode =
                         (streq(args[0], "isolate") ||
                          streq(args[0], "rescue")  ||
-                         streq(args[0], "emergency")) ? "isolate" : arg_job_mode;
+                         streq(args[0], "emergency") ||
+                         streq(args[0], "default")) ? "isolate" : arg_job_mode;
 
                 one_name = table[verb_to_action(args[0])];