diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
index 6a46414aafc5..3a4bcf6e1d98 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
@@ -403,9 +403,10 @@ def legend(self, *args, **kwargs):
             the ``legend.markerscale`` :data:`rcParam <matplotlib.rcParams>`.
 
         markerfirst : bool
-            if *True*, legend marker is placed to the left of the legend label
-            if *False*, legend marker is placed to the right of the legend
-            label
+            If *True*, legend marker is placed to the left of the legend label.
+            If *False*, legend marker is placed to the right of the legend
+            label.
+            Default is *True*.
 
         frameon : None or bool
             Control whether the legend should be drawn on a patch (frame).
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/figure.py b/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
index 7532fe5f8e09..77bf0f3c48a9 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
@@ -1329,6 +1329,7 @@ def legend(self, *args, **kwargs):
             If *True*, legend marker is placed to the left of the legend label.
             If *False*, legend marker is placed to the right of the legend
             label.
+            Default is *True*.
 
         frameon : None or bool
             Control whether the legend should be drawn on a patch (frame).