diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index fe07d04..caad30f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Install packages using the new hotness in Python package management...[`pip`](ht
 
 # Actions
 
-- :install: Install a pip package - if version is provided, install that specific version
+- :install: Install a pip package - if version is provided, install that specific version (default)
 - :upgrade: Upgrade a pip package - if version is provided, upgrade to that specific version
 - :remove: Remove a pip package
 - :user: User to run pip as, for using with virtualenv
@@ -65,26 +65,21 @@ Install packages using the new hotness in Python package management...[`pip`](ht
 # Example
 
     # install latest gunicorn into system path
-    python_pip "gunicorn" do
-      action :install
-    end
+    python_pip "gunicorn"
 
     # target a virtualenv
     python_pip "gunicorn" do
       virtualenv "/home/ubunut/my_ve"
-      action :install
     end
 
     # install Django 1.1.4
     python_pip "django" do
       version "1.1.4"
-      action :install
     end
 
     # use this provider with the core package resource
     package "django" do
       provider Chef::Provider::PythonPip
-      action :install
     end
 
 `python_virtualenv`
diff --git a/resources/pip.rb b/resources/pip.rb
index 3276000..cccb224 100644
--- a/resources/pip.rb
+++ b/resources/pip.rb
@@ -19,6 +19,13 @@
 #
 
 actions :install, :upgrade, :remove, :purge
+default_action :install if defined?(default_action) # Chef > 10.8
+
+# Default action for Chef <= 10.8
+def initialize(*args)
+  super
+  @action = :install
+end
 
 attribute :package_name, :kind_of => String, :name_attribute => true
 attribute :version, :default => nil