diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 4b3d5c4c..6213ddbb 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+0.5.3:
+* switch LASH_START_SERVER for LASH_NO_START_SERVER with opposite semantics
+
 0.5.2:
 * support for building without ALSA
 * server auto-launching bug fixes
diff --git a/docs/lash-manual.info b/docs/lash-manual.info
index eb7e8b7f..61d729ca 100644
--- a/docs/lash-manual.info
+++ b/docs/lash-manual.info
@@ -280,24 +280,28 @@ listening for connections from clients.  It doesn't do much else.
 `lash_panel' program (though this is not necessary, and it can be
 started later at any time).
 
-   The environment variable `LASH_START_SERVER' can be set to have any
-LASH client automatically start the server if one isn't already running.
-Doing this you can simply put `lash_panel' (or any other LASH client)
-in your applications menu and have LASH automatically work without
-having to remember to start the server manually.
+   Unless the environment variable `LASH_NO_START_SERVER' is set any
+LASH client will automatically start the server if one isn't already running.
+Doing this you can simply run applications normally (e.g. from a terminal or
+your Applications menu) and have LASH automatically work without having to
+remember to start the server manually.
 
-   Starting the server can be disabled by specifying the
+   Starting the server can also be disabled by specifying the
 `--lash-no-start-server' option on the client's command line.
 
    If you're using a Bourne compatible shell like `bash' (if you don't
-know, you probably are) you can enable auto-start with the following
+know, you probably are) you can disable auto-start with the following
 command:
 
-   `export LASH_START_SERVER=1'
+   `export LASH_NO_START_SERVER=1'
+
+	Some applications may also choose themselves whether to start the
+server (or have a configurable option).
+
+	Disabling the automatic start is not recommended to gain the abilities LASH
+intends to provide.  With auto launching enabled you don't need to worry about
+LASH until you actually want to save a session.
 
-   If you would like to always have the server started, put that
-command in the file ~/.bashrc (or in /etc/profile if you are root and
-want it set system wide) to have it run whenever a new shell is started.
 
 6.1.1.2 A client connection
 ...........................
diff --git a/docs/lash-manual.texi.in b/docs/lash-manual.texi.in
index 73805025..77958f6f 100644
--- a/docs/lash-manual.texi.in
+++ b/docs/lash-manual.texi.in
@@ -306,23 +306,26 @@ To keep track of what is happening with LASH, the user can run the
 @command{lash_panel} program (though this is not necessary, and it can
 be started later at any time).
 
-The environment variable @code{LASH_START_SERVER} can be set to have any
-LASH client automatically start the server if one isn't already running.
-Doing this you can simply put @command{lash_panel} (or any other LASH
-client) in your applications menu and have LASH automatically work without
-having to remember to start the server manually.
+Unless the environment variable @code{LASH_NO_START_SERVER} is set any
+LASH client will automatically start the server if one isn't already running.
+Doing this you can simply run applications normally (e.g. from a terminal or
+your Applications menu) and have LASH automatically work without having to
+remember to start the server manually.
 
-Starting the server can be disabled by specifying the
-@option{--lash-no-start-server} option on the client's command line.
+Starting the server can also be disabled by specifying the
+@command{--lash-no-start-server} option on the client's command line.
 
-If you're using a Bourne compatible shell like @command{bash} (if you don't
-know, you probably are) you can enable auto-start with the following command:
+If you're using a Bourne compatible shell like @code{bash} (if you don't
+know, you probably are) you can disable auto-start with the following
+command:
 
-@command{export LASH_START_SERVER=1}
+@command{export LASH_NO_START_SERVER=1}
 
-If you would like to always have the server started, put that command in the
-file ~/.bashrc (or in /etc/profile if you are root and want it set system
-wide) to have it run whenever a new shell is started.
+Some applications may also choose themselves whether to start the
+server (or have a configurable option), however risabling the automatic
+start (by any method) is not recommended if you want to gain the benefits of
+LASH.  With auto launching enabled you don't need to worry about
+LASH until you actually want to save a session.
 
 @subsubsection A client connection
 
diff --git a/liblash/lash.c b/liblash/lash.c
index 6378403c..87693395 100644
--- a/liblash/lash.c
+++ b/liblash/lash.c
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ lash_init(const lash_args_t * args,
 	   case something must be broken if we can't connect */
 	if ( !(client_flags & LASH_No_Start_Server) ) {
 		lash_args_get_id(args, id);
-		if (err && getenv("LASH_START_SERVER") != NULL && uuid_is_null(id)) {
+		if (err && getenv("LASH_NO_START_SERVER") == NULL && uuid_is_null(id)) {
 			LASH_DEBUGARGS("%s: trying to start new LASH server\n", 
 					__FUNCTION__);