diff --git a/nova/controller.sls b/nova/controller.sls
index 9420661..2055ac5 100644
--- a/nova/controller.sls
+++ b/nova/controller.sls
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@
 
 {%- endif %}
 
-{%- if controller.get('update_cells') %}
+{%- if controller.get('update_cells', True) %}
 nova_controller_discover_hosts:
   cmd.run:
   - name: nova-manage cell_v2 discover_hosts {{ nova_manage_cell_v2_discover_hosts_args | join(' ') }}
diff --git a/nova/db/offline_sync.sls b/nova/db/offline_sync.sls
index a2b8849..f0f9b69 100644
--- a/nova/db/offline_sync.sls
+++ b/nova/db/offline_sync.sls
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 {%- if controller.version not in ["juno", "kilo", "liberty", "mitaka", "newton"] %}
 
-{%- if controller.get('update_cells') %}
+{%- if controller.get('update_cells', True) %}
 nova_controller_map_cell0:
   cmd.run:
   - name: nova-manage cell_v2 map_cell0