diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/cloud/vmware/vmware_vm_shell.py b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/cloud/vmware/vmware_vm_shell.py
index 6c81d612f7..c33e3e5c71 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/cloud/vmware/vmware_vm_shell.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/cloud/vmware/vmware_vm_shell.py
@@ -58,11 +58,12 @@ options:
     vm_id_type:
         description:
             - The identification tag for the VM
-        default: dns_name
+        default: vm_name
         choices:
             - 'uuid'
             - 'dns_name'
             - 'inventory_path'
+            - 'vm_name'
         required: False
     vm_username:
         description: