diff --git a/cmd/kg/main.go b/cmd/kg/main.go
index 7c91698..c9d7304 100644
--- a/cmd/kg/main.go
+++ b/cmd/kg/main.go
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ var (
 
 func init() {
 	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&backend, "backend", k8s.Backend, fmt.Sprintf("The backend for the mesh. Possible values: %s", availableBackends))
-	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&cleanUp, "clean-up", false, "Clean up network modifications on shutdown.")
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&cleanUp, "clean-up", true, "Clean up network modifications on shutdown.")
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&cleanUpIface, "clean-up-interface", false, "Should Kilo delete its interface when it shuts down? Only relevant when cleanup is true.")
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&createIface, "create-interface", true, "Should kilo create an interface on startup?")
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&cni, "cni", true, "Should Kilo manage the node's CNI configuration?")