diff --git a/kiwi/defaults.py b/kiwi/defaults.py
index 57855caf..ce8691cc 100644
--- a/kiwi/defaults.py
+++ b/kiwi/defaults.py
@@ -131,6 +131,14 @@ class Defaults(object):
             'xfs', 'fat16', 'fat32'
         ]
 
+    @classmethod
+    def get_live_iso_types(self):
+        return ['overlay']
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_default_live_iso_type(self):
+        return 'overlay'
+
     @classmethod
     def get_disk_image_types(self):
         return ['oem', 'vmx']
diff --git a/kiwi/live_image_builder.py b/kiwi/live_image_builder.py
index 4ab55f4e..7321db65 100644
--- a/kiwi/live_image_builder.py
+++ b/kiwi/live_image_builder.py
@@ -47,13 +47,16 @@ class LiveImageBuilder(object):
         self.source_dir = source_dir
         self.target_dir = target_dir
         self.xml_state = xml_state
-        self.flags = xml_state.build_type.get_flags()
+        self.live_type = xml_state.build_type.get_flags()
         self.hybrid = xml_state.build_type.get_hybrid()
         self.volume_id = xml_state.build_type.get_volid()
         self.machine = xml_state.get_build_type_machine_section()
         self.mbrid = ImageIdentifier()
         self.mbrid.calculate_id()
 
+        if not self.live_type:
+            self.live_type = Defaults.get_default_live_iso_type()
+
         self.boot_image_task = BootImageTask(
             xml_state, target_dir
         )
@@ -103,7 +106,7 @@ class LiveImageBuilder(object):
         self.boot_image_task.prepare()
 
         # pack system into live boot structure
-        if not self.flags or self.flags == 'overlay':
+        if self.live_type == 'overlay':
             squashed_image = FileSystemSquashFs(
                 device_provider=None, source_dir=self.source_dir
             )
@@ -113,7 +116,8 @@ class LiveImageBuilder(object):
             )
         else:
             raise KiwiLiveBootImageError(
-                'live ISO structure type "%s" not supported' % self.flags
+                'live ISO type "%s" not supported, supported are %s' %
+                (self.live_type, Defaults.get_live_iso_types())
             )
 
         # TODO: create config.isoclient
diff --git a/test/unit/live_image_builder_test.py b/test/unit/live_image_builder_test.py
index 61eb24e0..96c30b08 100644
--- a/test/unit/live_image_builder_test.py
+++ b/test/unit/live_image_builder_test.py
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ class TestLiveImageBuilder(object):
             return_value=self.kernel
         )
         self.xml_state = mock.Mock()
+        self.xml_state.build_type.get_flags = mock.Mock(
+            return_value=None
+        )
         self.xml_state.get_image_version = mock.Mock(
             return_value='1.2.3'
         )
@@ -64,7 +67,6 @@ class TestLiveImageBuilder(object):
         self.result = mock.Mock()
         self.live_image.result = self.result
         self.live_image.hybrid = True
-        self.live_image.flags = 'overlay'
 
     @patch('kiwi.live_image_builder.mkdtemp')
     @patch('kiwi.live_image_builder.Command.run')
@@ -82,7 +84,7 @@ class TestLiveImageBuilder(object):
             return tmpdir_name.pop()
 
         mock_dtemp.side_effect = side_effect
-        self.live_image.flags = 'overlay'
+        self.live_image.live_type = 'overlay'
         squashed_image = mock.Mock()
         mock_squashfs.return_value = squashed_image
         bootloader = mock.Mock()
@@ -165,7 +167,7 @@ class TestLiveImageBuilder(object):
     @patch('kiwi.live_image_builder.Command.run')
     @raises(KiwiLiveBootImageError)
     def test_create_invalid_iso_structure(self, mock_command, mock_dtemp):
-        self.live_image.flags = 'bogus'
+        self.live_image.live_type = 'bogus'
         self.live_image.create()
 
     @raises(KiwiLiveBootImageError)