diff --git a/zebra-consensus/src/config.rs b/zebra-consensus/src/config.rs
index 4cb51bf5..034a351e 100644
--- a/zebra-consensus/src/config.rs
+++ b/zebra-consensus/src/config.rs
@@ -4,14 +4,19 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, Serialize)]
 #[serde(deny_unknown_fields, default)]
 pub struct Config {
-    /// Should Zebra sync using checkpoints?
+    /// Should Zebra use its optional checkpoints to sync?
     ///
-    /// Setting this option to true enables post-Canopy checkpoints.
-    /// (Zebra always checkpoints up to and including Canopy activation.)
+    /// This option is `true` by default, and allows for faster chain synchronization.
     ///
-    /// Future versions of Zebra may change the mandatory checkpoint
-    /// height.
+    /// Zebra requires some checkpoints to validate legacy network upgrades.
+    /// But it also ships with optional checkpoints, which can be used instead of full block validation.
+    ///
+    /// Disabling this option makes Zebra start full validation as soon as possible.
+    /// This helps developers debug Zebra, by running full validation on more blocks.
+    ///
+    /// Future versions of Zebra may change the required and optional checkpoints.
     pub checkpoint_sync: bool,
+
     /// Skip the pre-download of Groth16 parameters if this option is true.
     pub debug_skip_parameter_preload: bool,
 }
@@ -22,7 +27,7 @@ pub struct Config {
 impl Default for Config {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
-            checkpoint_sync: false,
+            checkpoint_sync: true,
             debug_skip_parameter_preload: false,
         }
     }