diff --git a/packages/SwingSet/src/kernel/loadVat.js b/packages/SwingSet/src/kernel/loadVat.js
index 37f68de8751..09daff61b42 100644
--- a/packages/SwingSet/src/kernel/loadVat.js
+++ b/packages/SwingSet/src/kernel/loadVat.js
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ export function makeVatLoader(stuff) {
    *        the amount of computation and allocation that can occur during any
    *        given crank. Stack frames are limited as well. The meter is refilled
    *        between cranks, but if the meter ever underflows, the vat is
-   *        terminated. If false, the vat is unmetered.  Defaults to true for
+   *        terminated. If false, the vat is unmetered.  Defaults to false for
    *        dynamic vats; static vats may not be metered.
    *
    * @param {Record<string, unknown>} [options.vatParameters] provides
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ export function makeVatLoader(stuff) {
       isDynamic ? allowedDynamicOptions : allowedStaticOptions,
     );
     const {
-      metered = isDynamic,
+      metered = false,
       vatParameters = {},
       managerType,
       enableSetup = false,
diff --git a/packages/SwingSet/test/metering/test-dynamic-vat-metered.js b/packages/SwingSet/test/metering/test-dynamic-vat-metered.js
index 0496f84fa05..a33fd975910 100644
--- a/packages/SwingSet/test/metering/test-dynamic-vat-metered.js
+++ b/packages/SwingSet/test/metering/test-dynamic-vat-metered.js
@@ -57,11 +57,9 @@ async function runOneTest(t, explosion, managerType) {
   await c.run();
 
   // 'createVat' will import the bundle
-  c.queueToVatRoot(
-    'bootstrap',
-    'createVat',
-    capargs([dynamicVatBundle, { managerType }]),
-  );
+  const cvopts = { managerType, metered: true };
+  const cvargs = capargs([dynamicVatBundle, cvopts]);
+  c.queueToVatRoot('bootstrap', 'createVat', cvargs);
   await c.run();
   t.deepEqual(nextLog(), ['created'], 'first create');
 
diff --git a/packages/SwingSet/test/metering/test-dynamic-vat-subcompartment.js b/packages/SwingSet/test/metering/test-dynamic-vat-subcompartment.js
index 0dc345c5c7a..74830b61357 100644
--- a/packages/SwingSet/test/metering/test-dynamic-vat-subcompartment.js
+++ b/packages/SwingSet/test/metering/test-dynamic-vat-subcompartment.js
@@ -43,7 +43,9 @@ test('metering dynamic vat which imports bundle', async t => {
   );
 
   // 'createVat' will import the bundle
-  c.queueToVatRoot('bootstrap', 'createVat', capargs([dynamicVatBundle]));
+  const cvopts = { metered: true };
+  const cvargs = capargs([dynamicVatBundle, cvopts]);
+  c.queueToVatRoot('bootstrap', 'createVat', cvargs);
   await c.run();
   t.deepEqual(nextLog(), ['created'], 'first create');