diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 74bd4ac01..433bb1654 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ Post-v2.17.0
        configuration in a clustered databse independently for each server.
        E.g. for listening on unique addresses.  See the ovsdb.local-config.5
        manpage for schema details.
+     * Returning unused memory to the OS after the database compaction is now
+       enabled by default.  Use 'ovsdb-server/memory-trim-on-compaction off'
+       unixctl command to disable.
    - OVSDB-IDL:
      * New monitor mode flag, OVSDB_IDL_WRITE_CHANGED_ONLY, allowing
        applications to relax atomicity requirements when dealing with
diff --git a/ovsdb/ovsdb-server.c b/ovsdb/ovsdb-server.c
index 5549b4e3a..ddae685fd 100644
--- a/ovsdb/ovsdb-server.c
+++ b/ovsdb/ovsdb-server.c
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ static char *ssl_ciphers;
 static bool bootstrap_ca_cert;
 
 /* Try to reclaim heap memory back to system after DB compaction. */
-static bool trim_memory = false;
+static bool trim_memory = true;
 
 static unixctl_cb_func ovsdb_server_exit;
 static unixctl_cb_func ovsdb_server_compact;