diff --git a/cmd/incus/project.go b/cmd/incus/project.go
index 3779a10566f..d93bd38ee9e 100644
--- a/cmd/incus/project.go
+++ b/cmd/incus/project.go
@@ -1184,7 +1184,10 @@ func (c *cmdProjectGetCurrent) Run(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	if !ok {
 		return fmt.Errorf(i18n.G("Remote %s doesn't exist"), conf.DefaultRemote)
 	}
-
-	fmt.Println(remote.Project)
+	if remote.Project == "" {
+		fmt.Println("default")
+	} else {
+		fmt.Println(remote.Project)
+	}
 	return nil
 }