diff --git a/commands/option.go b/commands/option.go
index 5a48b523cb2..c7198a47d53 100644
--- a/commands/option.go
+++ b/commands/option.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package commands
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"reflect"
+	"strings"
 
 	"gx/ipfs/QmZNVWh8LLjAavuQ2JXuFmuYH3C11xo988vSgp7UQrTRj1/go-ipfs-util"
 )
@@ -45,9 +46,13 @@ func (o *option) Description() string {
 	if o.description[len(o.description)-1] != '.' {
 		o.description += "."
 	}
-
 	if o.defaultVal != nil {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("%s Default: %v.", o.description, o.defaultVal)
+		if strings.Contains(o.description, "<default>") {
+			return strings.Replace(o.description, "<default>",
+				fmt.Sprintf("Default: %v.", o.defaultVal), -1)
+		} else {
+			return fmt.Sprintf("%s Default: %v.", o.description, o.defaultVal)
+		}
 	}
 	return o.description
 }
diff --git a/core/commands/publish.go b/core/commands/publish.go
index d46e96edcd2..d0b31b86496 100644
--- a/core/commands/publish.go
+++ b/core/commands/publish.go
@@ -51,11 +51,10 @@ Publish an <ipfs-path> to another public key (not implemented):
 	},
 	Options: []cmds.Option{
 		cmds.BoolOption("resolve", "Resolve given path before publishing.").Default(true),
-		cmds.StringOption("lifetime", "t", `Time duration that the record will be valid for.
-
+		cmds.StringOption("lifetime", "t",
+			`Time duration that the record will be valid for. <default>
     This accepts durations such as "300s", "1.5h" or "2h45m". Valid time units are
-    "ns", "us" (or "µs"), "ms", "s", "m", "h".
-		`).Default("24h"),
+    "ns", "us" (or "µs"), "ms", "s", "m", "h".`).Default("24h"),
 		cmds.StringOption("ttl", "Time duration this record should be cached for (caution: experimental)."),
 	},
 	Run: func(req cmds.Request, res cmds.Response) {