diff --git a/docs/manual/CoreTasks/apt.html b/docs/manual/CoreTasks/apt.html
index 08117c4bd..010a4f288 100644
--- a/docs/manual/CoreTasks/apt.html
+++ b/docs/manual/CoreTasks/apt.html
@@ -104,8 +104,13 @@ AnnotationProcessor instances.</p>
 
 
 <h3>Notes</h3>
+
+<p>
+The inherited "fork" attribute is set to true by default.
+</p>
+
 <p>
-The "compiler" attribute is ignored, as it is forced to use the Apt compiler
+The inherited "compiler" attribute is ignored, as it is forced to use the Apt compiler
 </p>
 
 <p>Using the Apt compiler with the "compile" option set to "true"
diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Apt.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Apt.java
index 25b6b02d9..0d9080a4a 100644
--- a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Apt.java
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Apt.java
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ public class Apt
     public Apt() {
         super();
         super.setCompiler(AptCompilerAdapter.class.getName());
+        setFork(true);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ public class Apt
     }
 
     /**
-     * Set the fork attribute.
+     * Set the fork attribute (optional, default=true).
      * If fork is true run the external apt command.
      * If fork is false run the apt compiler in the same jvm as the task.
      * @param fork if true use the external command.