diff --git a/README.markdown b/README.markdown
index 1e57c2a..6cd0120 100644
--- a/README.markdown
+++ b/README.markdown
@@ -35,3 +35,7 @@ To restore your PATH, you can deactivate it.
 
     nvm deactivate
 
+To set a default Node version to be used in any new shell, use the alias 'default':
+
+    nvm alias default v0.2.5
+
diff --git a/nvm.sh b/nvm.sh
index 5b74817..cfba140 100644
--- a/nvm.sh
+++ b/nvm.sh
@@ -206,3 +206,5 @@ nvm()
     ;;
   esac
 }
+
+nvm ls default >/dev/null 2>&1 && nvm use default >/dev/null