diff --git a/openmc/deplete/independent_operator.py b/openmc/deplete/independent_operator.py
index 422965fb80..d84dcb16f8 100644
--- a/openmc/deplete/independent_operator.py
+++ b/openmc/deplete/independent_operator.py
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ class IndependentOperator(OpenMCOperator):
                  micro_xs,
                  chain_file,
                  keff=None,
-                 normalization_mode='source-rate',
+                 normalization_mode='fission-q',
                  fission_q=None,
                  dilute_initial=1.0e3,
                  prev_results=None,
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ class IndependentOperator(OpenMCOperator):
                       chain_file,
                       nuc_units='atom/b-cm',
                       keff=None,
-                      normalization_mode='source-rate',
+                      normalization_mode='fission-q',
                       fission_q=None,
                       dilute_initial=1.0e3,
                       prev_results=None,