diff --git a/magit.el b/magit.el
index acda38bd..3d1c8679 100644
--- a/magit.el
+++ b/magit.el
@@ -797,7 +797,9 @@ Please see the manual for a complete description of Magit.
 ;;; Resetting
 
 (defun magit-reset-head (rev)
-  (interactive (list (magit-read-rev "Reset head to" (magit-default-rev))))
+  (interactive (list (magit-read-rev "Reset head to"
+				     (or (magit-default-rev)
+					 "HEAD^"))))
   (if rev
       (magit-run "git" "reset" "--soft" (magit-rev-to-git rev))))