diff --git a/README.markdown b/README.markdown
index e5f740a66..017e8d715 100644
--- a/README.markdown
+++ b/README.markdown
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ ini_setting { "sample setting":
 
 The inifile module tries hard not to manipulate your file any more than it needs to. In most cases, it doesn't affect the original whitespace, comments, ordering, etc.
 
-
  * Supports comments starting with either '#' or ';'.
  * Supports either whitespace or no whitespace around '='.
  * Adds any missing sections to the INI file.
@@ -171,7 +170,7 @@ Determines whether the specified setting should exist. Valid options: 'present'
 
 ##### `setting`
 
-*Required.* Designates a setting to manage within the specified INI file and section. Valid options: a string.
+*Optional.* Designates a section of the specified INI file containing the setting to manage. To manage a global setting (at the beginning of the file, before any named sections) enter "". Defaults to "". Valid options: a string.
 
 ##### `value`
 
@@ -202,7 +201,7 @@ Specifies whether the subsetting should be present. Valid options: 'present' and
 
 ##### `section`
 
-*Required.* Designates a section of the specified INI file containing the subsetting to manage. To manage a global setting (at the beginning of the file, before any named sections) enter "". Valid options: a string, or "".
+*Optional.* Designates a section of the specified INI file containing the setting to manage. To manage a global setting (at the beginning of the file, before any named sections) enter "". Defaults to "". Valid options: a string.
 
 ##### `setting`
 
@@ -237,4 +236,4 @@ For more information, see our [module contribution guide.](https://docs.puppetla
 
 ###Contributors
 
-To see who's already involved, see the [list of contributors.](https://github.com/puppetlabs/puppetlabs-inifile/graphs/contributors)
\ No newline at end of file
+To see who's already involved, see the [list of contributors.](https://github.com/puppetlabs/puppetlabs-inifile/graphs/contributors)
diff --git a/lib/puppet/type/ini_setting.rb b/lib/puppet/type/ini_setting.rb
index 662c74c11..b01f327ad 100644
--- a/lib/puppet/type/ini_setting.rb
+++ b/lib/puppet/type/ini_setting.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@
   end
 
   newparam(:section) do
-    desc 'The name of the section in the ini file in which the setting should be defined.'
+    desc 'The name of the section in the ini file in which the setting should be defined.' +
+      'If not provided, defaults to global, top of file, sections.'
+    defaultto("")
   end
 
   newparam(:setting) do
diff --git a/lib/puppet/type/ini_subsetting.rb b/lib/puppet/type/ini_subsetting.rb
index 0db073850..c1d6f08ba 100644
--- a/lib/puppet/type/ini_subsetting.rb
+++ b/lib/puppet/type/ini_subsetting.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@
   end
 
   newparam(:section) do
-    desc 'The name of the section in the ini file in which the setting should be defined.'
+    desc 'The name of the section in the ini file in which the setting should be defined.' +
+      'If not provided, defaults to global, top of file, sections.'
+    defaultto("")
   end
 
   newparam(:setting) do