diff --git a/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/GATKArgumentCollection.java b/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/GATKArgumentCollection.java
index beb54e03f..31bcf1083 100755
--- a/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/GATKArgumentCollection.java
+++ b/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/GATKArgumentCollection.java
@@ -122,8 +122,8 @@ public class GATKArgumentCollection {
     public Boolean unsafe = false;
 
     @Element(required = false)
-    @Argument(fullName = "max_reads_at_locus", shortName = "mrl", doc = "Sets the upper limit for the number of reads presented at a single locus. 100,000 by default.", required = false)
-    public int readMaxPileup = 100000;
+    @Argument(fullName = "max_reads_at_locus", shortName = "mrl", doc = "Sets the upper limit for the number of reads presented at a single locus. int.MAX_VALUE by default.", required = false)
+    public int readMaxPileup = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
 
     @Element(required = false)
     @Argument(fullName = "disablethreading", shortName = "dt", doc = "Disable experimental threading support.", required = false)