diff --git a/doc/source/command-objects/image.rst b/doc/source/command-objects/image.rst
index 5184f44698..7fc33c697c 100644
--- a/doc/source/command-objects/image.rst
+++ b/doc/source/command-objects/image.rst
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ List available images
 
 .. option:: --sort <key>[:<direction>]
 
-    Sort output by selected keys and directions(asc or desc) (default: asc),
+    Sort output by selected keys and directions(asc or desc) (default: name:asc),
     multiple keys and directions can be specified separated by comma
 
 .. option:: --limit <limit>
diff --git a/openstackclient/image/v1/image.py b/openstackclient/image/v1/image.py
index 0d54e339e1..eb79cd2fed 100644
--- a/openstackclient/image/v1/image.py
+++ b/openstackclient/image/v1/image.py
@@ -353,8 +353,9 @@ class ListImage(command.Lister):
         parser.add_argument(
             '--sort',
             metavar="<key>[:<direction>]",
+            default='name:asc',
             help=_("Sort output by selected keys and directions(asc or desc) "
-                   "(default: asc), multiple keys and directions can be "
+                   "(default: name:asc), multiple keys and directions can be "
                    "specified separated by comma"),
         )
         return parser
diff --git a/openstackclient/image/v2/image.py b/openstackclient/image/v2/image.py
index 4031952bc4..054d16127a 100644
--- a/openstackclient/image/v2/image.py
+++ b/openstackclient/image/v2/image.py
@@ -450,8 +450,9 @@ class ListImage(command.Lister):
         parser.add_argument(
             '--sort',
             metavar="<key>[:<direction>]",
+            default='name:asc',
             help=_("Sort output by selected keys and directions(asc or desc) "
-                   "(default: asc), multiple keys and directions can be "
+                   "(default: name:asc), multiple keys and directions can be "
                    "specified separated by comma"),
         )
         parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/bug-1639231-21823768bd54170a.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1639231-21823768bd54170a.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..740a0dd1b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1639231-21823768bd54170a.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+features:
+  - |
+    The  ``image list`` command will now sort by name in ascending order by
+    default. ``--sort`` option will have the default value of ``name:asc``.
+    [Bug `1639231 <https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1639231>`_]