diff --git a/cinder/backup/manager.py b/cinder/backup/manager.py
index 77cf6aea7..2b1ecdf14 100644
--- a/cinder/backup/manager.py
+++ b/cinder/backup/manager.py
@@ -61,9 +61,11 @@ backup_manager_opts = [
                default='cinder.backup.drivers.swift',
                help='Driver to use for backups.',),
     cfg.BoolOpt('backup_service_inithost_offload',
-                default=False,
+                default=True,
                 help='Offload pending backup delete during '
-                     'backup service startup.',),
+                     'backup service startup. If false, the backup service '
+                     'will remain down until all pending backups are '
+                     'deleted.',),
 ]
 
 # This map doesn't need to be extended in the future since it's only
@@ -192,7 +194,7 @@ class BackupManager(manager.SchedulerDependentManager):
                 # from being blocked.
                 self._add_to_threadpool(self.delete_backup, ctxt, backup)
             else:
-                # By default, delete backups sequentially
+                # Delete backups sequentially
                 self.delete_backup(ctxt, backup)
 
     def _detach_all_attachments(self, ctxt, volume):
diff --git a/cinder/tests/unit/test_backup.py b/cinder/tests/unit/test_backup.py
index de1453829..ca93747cd 100644
--- a/cinder/tests/unit/test_backup.py
+++ b/cinder/tests/unit/test_backup.py
@@ -211,6 +211,8 @@ class BackupTestCase(BaseBackupTest):
         def get_admin_context():
             return self.ctxt
 
+        self.override_config('backup_service_inithost_offload', False)
+
         vol1_id = self._create_volume_db_entry()
         self._create_volume_attach(vol1_id)
         db.volume_update(self.ctxt, vol1_id, {'status': 'backing-up'})
@@ -276,7 +278,6 @@ class BackupTestCase(BaseBackupTest):
     def test_init_host_with_service_inithost_offload(self,
                                                      mock_add_threadpool,
                                                      mock_get_all_by_host):
-        self.override_config('backup_service_inithost_offload', True)
         vol1_id = self._create_volume_db_entry()
         db.volume_update(self.ctxt, vol1_id, {'status': 'available'})
         backup1 = self._create_backup_db_entry(
@@ -410,6 +411,8 @@ class BackupTestCase(BaseBackupTest):
     def test_cleanup_one_deleting_backup(self):
         """Test cleanup_one_backup for volume status 'deleting'."""
 
+        self.override_config('backup_service_inithost_offload', False)
+
         backup = self._create_backup_db_entry(
             status=fields.BackupStatus.DELETING)
 
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/bug-1570845-efdb0206718f4ca4.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1570845-efdb0206718f4ca4.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b247a8180
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1570845-efdb0206718f4ca4.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+---
+upgrade:
+  - The 'backup_service_inithost_offload' configuration
+    option now defaults to 'True' instead of 'False'.