diff --git a/src/init.cpp b/src/init.cpp
index 7384ebf1c..2aa86dc46 100644
--- a/src/init.cpp
+++ b/src/init.cpp
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ std::string HelpMessage(HelpMessageMode mode)
     strUsage += HelpMessageOpt("-hdtransparent", strprintf(_("Derive transparent addresses from the HD seed so they can be recovered from it (default: %u)"), 1));
     strUsage += HelpMessageOpt("-hdseed=<hex>", _("Restore a fresh/empty wallet from a 32- or 64-byte HD seed hex (the value shown in z_exportwallet's '# HDSeed=' line). WARNING: exposes the seed to your shell history and process list."));
     strUsage += HelpMessageOpt("-mnemonic=<words>", _("Restore/create a fresh/empty wallet from a BIP39 seed phrase, compatible with SilentDragonXLite (English, no passphrase; cross-wallet restore parity is mainnet-only -- testnet/regtest derive a different HD coin_type). WARNING: exposes the phrase to your shell history and process list; prefer DRAGONX.conf with tight permissions."));
-    strUsage += HelpMessageOpt("-usemnemonic", strprintf(_("Create new wallets from a fresh BIP39 seed phrase so the 24 words can be exported (z_exportmnemonic) and used in SilentDragonXLite (default: %u)"), 0));
+    strUsage += HelpMessageOpt("-usemnemonic", strprintf(_("Create new wallets from a fresh BIP39 seed phrase so the 24 words can be exported (z_exportmnemonic) and used in SilentDragonXLite. Set to 0 for a raw random seed with no recovery phrase; existing wallets are never changed (default: %u)"), 1));
     strUsage += HelpMessageOpt("-hdtransparentgaplimit=<n>", strprintf(_("On -mnemonic/-hdseed restore, pre-derive this many HD transparent keys so a rescan can find coinbase paid to them (default: %u)"), 1000));
     strUsage += HelpMessageOpt("-mnemonicsaplinggap=<n>", strprintf(_("On -mnemonic/-hdseed restore, pre-derive this many shielded (Sapling) addresses so a rescan can find notes sent to them (default: %u)"), 100));
     strUsage += HelpMessageOpt("-consolidation", _("Enable auto Sapling note consolidation (default: false)"));
diff --git a/src/wallet/rpcdump.cpp b/src/wallet/rpcdump.cpp
index 14b0dacc7..9b72f008d 100644
--- a/src/wallet/rpcdump.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/rpcdump.cpp
@@ -1039,8 +1039,10 @@ UniValue z_exportmnemonic(const UniValue& params, bool fHelp, const CPubKey& myp
             "\nReveal the wallet's BIP39 seed phrase (24 words).\n"
             "The phrase is byte-compatible with SilentDragonXLite: the same words\n"
             "restore the same transparent and shielded addresses in either wallet.\n"
-            "Only works for wallets created or restored from a mnemonic (see the\n"
-            "-mnemonic and -usemnemonic options). Requires the wallet be unlocked.\n"
+            "New wallets get a seed phrase by default (-usemnemonic=0 opts out);\n"
+            "wallets restored with -mnemonic have one too. Wallets created before\n"
+            "this feature, or from a raw -hdseed, have no phrase -- use\n"
+            "z_exportwallet for those. Requires the wallet be unlocked.\n"
             "\nResult:\n"
             "{\n"
             "  \"mnemonic\" : \"word1 ... word24\",   (string) the BIP39 seed phrase\n"
diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet.cpp b/src/wallet/wallet.cpp
index 1b902f156..81df81e1e 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet.cpp
@@ -2476,7 +2476,7 @@ void CWallet::GenerateNewSeed()
     // (z_exportmnemonic refuses non-mnemonic wallets, rpcdump.cpp:1031+) and
     // that no seed phrase can restore. A user who asked for -usemnemonic must
     // get that or a hard failure.
-    if (GetBoolArg("-usemnemonic", false)) {
+    if (GetBoolArg("-usemnemonic", true)) {
         RawHDSeed entropy;
         if (!GenerateMnemonicEntropy(256, entropy))
             throw std::runtime_error(std::string(__func__) + ": -usemnemonic entropy generation failed");