diff --git a/beacon_node/src/cli.rs b/beacon_node/src/cli.rs
index 5cc46527a5d..afb408e5b8f 100644
--- a/beacon_node/src/cli.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/src/cli.rs
@@ -960,6 +960,7 @@ pub fn cli_app<'a, 'b>() -> App<'a, 'b> {
                 .hidden(true)
                 .help("This flag is deprecated and has no effect.")
                 .takes_value(true)
+                .default_value("true")
         )
         .arg(
             Arg::with_name("count-unrealized-full")
diff --git a/beacon_node/src/config.rs b/beacon_node/src/config.rs
index 16e003b1efe..39905a24e12 100644
--- a/beacon_node/src/config.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/src/config.rs
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@ pub fn get_config<E: EthSpec>(
         client_config.chain.fork_choice_before_proposal_timeout_ms = timeout;
     }
 
-    if cli_args.is_present("count-unrealized") {
+    if clap_utils::parse_required::<bool>(cli_args, "count-unrealized")? == false {
         warn!(
             log,
             "The flag --count-unrealized is deprecated and will be removed";