diff --git a/collects/scheme/sandbox.ss b/collects/scheme/sandbox.ss
index d0decde7cf..d8129d0977 100644
--- a/collects/scheme/sandbox.ss
+++ b/collects/scheme/sandbox.ss
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
 (define sandbox-output       (make-parameter #f))
 (define sandbox-error-output
   (make-parameter (lambda () (dup-output-port (current-error-port)))))
-(define sandbox-memory-limit (make-parameter 20))       ; 30mb total
+(define sandbox-memory-limit (make-parameter 30))       ; 30mb total
 (define sandbox-eval-limits  (make-parameter '(30 20))) ; 30sec, 20mb
 (define sandbox-propagate-breaks (make-parameter #t))
 (define sandbox-coverage-enabled (make-parameter #f))
diff --git a/collects/scribblings/reference/sandbox.scrbl b/collects/scribblings/reference/sandbox.scrbl
index 4569f76b6b..79d0056261 100644
--- a/collects/scribblings/reference/sandbox.scrbl
+++ b/collects/scribblings/reference/sandbox.scrbl
@@ -512,8 +512,9 @@ A parameter that determines the total memory limit on the sandbox in
 megabytes (it can hold a rational or a floating point number).  When
 this limit is exceeded, the sandbox is terminated.  This value is used
 when the sandbox is created and the limit cannot be changed
-afterwards.  See @scheme[sandbox-eval-limits] for per-evaluation
-limits and a description of how the two limits work together.}
+afterwards.  It defaults to 30mb.  See @scheme[sandbox-eval-limits]
+for per-evaluation limits and a description of how the two limits work
+together.}
 
 
 @defparam[sandbox-eval-limits limits