diff --git a/notebook/notebookapp.py b/notebook/notebookapp.py
index 2c1d392d7..e3215cd25 100644
--- a/notebook/notebookapp.py
+++ b/notebook/notebookapp.py
@@ -1096,7 +1096,7 @@ class NotebookApp(JupyterApp):
                 relpath = os.path.relpath(self.file_to_run, self.notebook_dir)
                 uri = url_escape(url_path_join('notebooks', *relpath.split(os.sep)))
             else:
-                uri = 'tree'
+                uri = self.default_url
             if browser:
                 b = lambda : browser.open(url_path_join(self.connection_url, uri),
                                           new=2)