diff --git a/crates/uv-settings/src/settings.rs b/crates/uv-settings/src/settings.rs
index b8671faf7066..0b44012c55a1 100644
--- a/crates/uv-settings/src/settings.rs
+++ b/crates/uv-settings/src/settings.rs
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ pub struct GlobalOptions {
     /// Whether to prefer using Python installations that are already present on the system, or
     /// those that are downloaded and installed by uv.
     #[option(
-        default = "\"installed\"",
+        default = "\"only-system\" (stable) or \"managed\" (preview)",
         value_type = "str",
         example = r#"
             python-preference = "managed"
diff --git a/docs/reference/settings.md b/docs/reference/settings.md
index 31e9b8c3f572..b0fe670e3e60 100644
--- a/docs/reference/settings.md
+++ b/docs/reference/settings.md
@@ -643,7 +643,7 @@ Whether to automatically download Python when required.
 Whether to prefer using Python installations that are already present on the system, or
 those that are downloaded and installed by uv.
 
-**Default value**: `"installed"`
+**Default value**: `"only-system" (stable) or "managed" (preview)`
 
 **Possible values**: