diff --git a/python/lsst/daf/butler/cli/opt/options.py b/python/lsst/daf/butler/cli/opt/options.py
index 7c76d5c5ec..3e88798c2b 100644
--- a/python/lsst/daf/butler/cli/opt/options.py
+++ b/python/lsst/daf/butler/cli/opt/options.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def makeCollectionTypes(
 
 components_option = MWOptionDecorator(
     "--components/--no-components",
-    default=None,
+    default=False,
     help=unwrap(
         """For --components, apply all expression patterns to
                                                   component dataset type names as well. For --no-components,