diff --git a/conf/dev/knoe.cfg b/conf/dev/knoe.cfg
index 3d51f8d..7412e94 100644
--- a/conf/dev/knoe.cfg
+++ b/conf/dev/knoe.cfg
@@ -5,5 +5,5 @@
 CLUSTER_ENV = dev
 NAMESPACE = knoe-db
 DATABASE_NAMESPACE = knoe-db
-SERVICE_NAMESPACE = default
+SERVICE_NAMESPACE = knoe-system
 CLUSTER_NAME = knoe-db
diff --git a/knoe/core/actions.py b/knoe/core/actions.py
index 92b69e1..0770725 100644
--- a/knoe/core/actions.py
+++ b/knoe/core/actions.py
@@ -308,8 +308,12 @@ class KnoeInstaller:
         )
         if ns.startswith("${") and ns.endswith("}"):
             ns = ""
+        if ns == "default":
+            ns = ""
         if not ns:
             ns = (os.environ.get("SERVICE_NAMESPACE") or "").strip()
+        if ns == "default":
+            ns = ""
 
         if ns:
             return ns