diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1db7c6c..aa48696 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -999,7 +999,7 @@ $ just test foo "bar baz"
 #### Shell
 
 The `shell` setting controls the command used to invoke recipe lines and
-backticks. Shebang recipes are unaffected.
+backticks. Shebang recipes are unaffected. The default shell is `sh -cu`.
 
 ```just
 # use python3 to execute recipe lines and backticks