diff --git a/dotdrop/config.py b/dotdrop/config.py
index 28367d8..c5c2b76 100644
--- a/dotdrop/config.py
+++ b/dotdrop/config.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ class Cfg:
     key_keepdot = 'keepdot'
     key_ignoreempty = 'ignoreempty'
     key_showdiff = 'showdiff'
-    key_imp_link = 'link_import_default'
+    key_imp_link = 'link_on_import'
     key_dotfile_link = 'link_dotfile_default'
     key_workdir = 'workdir'
     key_include_vars = 'import_variables'
diff --git a/dotdrop/options.py b/dotdrop/options.py
index ede4b49..d5601a3 100644
--- a/dotdrop/options.py
+++ b/dotdrop/options.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ Options:
   -C --file=<path>        Path of dotfile to compare.
   -i --ignore=<pattern>   Pattern to ignore.
   -o --dopts=<opts>       Diff options [default: ].
-  -l --link=<link>        "link_import_default" (nolink|link|link_children).
+  -l --link=<link>        "link_on_import" (nolink|link|link_children).
   -n --nodiff             Do not diff when installing.
   -t --temp               Install to a temporary directory for review.
   -T --template           Only template dotfiles.
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ class Options(AttrMonitor):
         self.safe = not self.args['--force']
 
         # import link default value
-        self.import_link = self.link_import_default
+        self.import_link = self.link_on_import
         link = self.args['--link']
         if link:
             if link not in OPT_LINK.keys():
diff --git a/tests-ng/link-import-default.sh b/tests-ng/link-import-default.sh
index 16e012b..c38e9d8 100755
--- a/tests-ng/link-import-default.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/link-import-default.sh
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # author: deadc0de6 (https://github.com/deadc0de6)
 # Copyright (c) 2019, deadc0de6
 #
-# test the use of the keyword "link_import_default"
+# test the use of the keyword "link_on_import"
 # returns 1 in case of error
 #
 
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ config:
   backup: true
   create: true
   dotpath: dotfiles
-  link_import_default: nolink
+  link_on_import: nolink
 dotfiles:
 profiles:
 _EOF
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ config:
   backup: true
   create: true
   dotpath: dotfiles
-  link_import_default: link
+  link_on_import: link
 dotfiles:
 profiles:
 _EOF
diff --git a/tests/test_config.py b/tests/test_config.py
index 62990ac..bfa27bf 100644
--- a/tests/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/test_config.py
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ config:
   banner: true
   longkey: false
   keepdot: false
-  link_import_default: {}
+  link_on_import: {}
   link_dotfile_default: nolink
 dotfiles:
 profiles:
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ config:
   banner: true
   longkey: false
   keepdot: false
-  link_import_default: {}
+  link_on_import: {}
   link_dotfile_default: nolink
 dotfiles:
 profiles: