diff --git a/sys-utils/lsns.8.adoc b/sys-utils/lsns.8.adoc
index 6bfbdb644..738f87106 100644
--- a/sys-utils/lsns.8.adoc
+++ b/sys-utils/lsns.8.adoc
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ lsns - list namespaces
 
 *lsns* lists information about all the currently accessible namespaces or about the given _namespace_. The _namespace_ identifier is an inode number.
 
-The default output is subject to change. So whenever possible, you should avoid using default outputs in your scripts. Always explicitly define expected columns by using the *--output* option together with a columns list in environments where a stable output is required.
+The default output is subject to change. So whenever possible, you should avoid using default outputs in your scripts. Always explicitly define expected output mode (*--tree* or *--list*) and columns by using the *--output* option together with a columns list in environments where a stable output is required.
 
 The *NSFS* column, printed when *net* is specified for the *--type* option, is special; it uses multi-line cells. Use the option *--nowrap* to switch to ","-separated single-line representation.
 
@@ -63,9 +63,9 @@ Do not truncate text in columns.
 *-W*, *--nowrap*::
 Do not use multi-line text in columns.
 
-*-T*, *--nstree* _rel_::
+*-T*, *--tree* _rel_::
 Use list output format.
-If *process* is gnve as _rel_, print proecss tree(s) in each name space.
+If *process* is given as _rel_, print proecss tree(s) in each name space. This is default when *--tree* is not specified.
 If *parent* is given, print tree(s) constructed by the parent/child relationship.
 If *owner* is given, print tree(s) constructed by the owner/owned relationship.
 *owner* is used as default when _rel_ is omitted.
diff --git a/sys-utils/lsns.c b/sys-utils/lsns.c
index a8daab95e..1ea2dd594 100644
--- a/sys-utils/lsns.c
+++ b/sys-utils/lsns.c
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ struct lsns_process {
 
 
 enum {
-      LSNS_TREE_LIST,
+      LSNS_TREE_NONE,
       LSNS_TREE_PROCESS,
       LSNS_TREE_OWNER,
       LSNS_TREE_PARENT,
@@ -201,7 +201,6 @@ struct lsns {
 	unsigned int raw	: 1,
 		     json	: 1,
 		     tree	: 2,
-		     list	: 1,
 		     no_trunc	: 1,
 		     no_headings: 1,
 		     no_wrap    : 1;
@@ -1066,7 +1065,7 @@ static void __attribute__((__noreturn__)) usage(void)
 int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
 	struct lsns ls;
-	int c;
+	int c, force_list = 0;
 	int r = 0;
 	char *outarg = NULL;
 	enum {
@@ -1091,6 +1090,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	static const ul_excl_t excl[] = {	/* rows and cols in ASCII order */
 		{ 'J','r' },
+		{ 'l','T' },
 		{ 0 }
 	};
 	int excl_st[ARRAY_SIZE(excl)] = UL_EXCL_STATUS_INIT;
@@ -1118,7 +1118,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 			ls.json = 1;
 			break;
 		case 'l':
-			ls.list = 1;
+			force_list = 1;
 			break;
 		case 'o':
 			outarg = optarg;
@@ -1187,7 +1187,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		if (ls.fltr_pid)
 			errx(EXIT_FAILURE, _("--task is mutually exclusive with <namespace>"));
 		ls.fltr_ns = strtou64_or_err(argv[optind], _("invalid namespace argument"));
-		ls.tree = ls.list ? LSNS_TREE_LIST : LSNS_TREE_PROCESS;
+		if (!ls.tree && !force_list)
+			ls.tree = LSNS_TREE_PROCESS;
 
 		if (!ncolumns) {
 			columns[ncolumns++] = COL_PID;
@@ -1208,6 +1209,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 			columns[ncolumns++] = COL_NSFS;
 		}
 		columns[ncolumns++] = COL_COMMAND;
+
+		if (!ls.tree && !force_list)
+			ls.tree = LSNS_TREE_PROCESS;
 	}
 
 	if (outarg && string_add_to_idarray(outarg, columns, ARRAY_SIZE(columns),