diff --git a/etc/emqx.conf b/etc/emqx.conf
index 7454f32f4..b559f28a3 100644
--- a/etc/emqx.conf
+++ b/etc/emqx.conf
@@ -202,9 +202,11 @@ mqtt.max_packet_size = 1MB
 mqtt.max_clientid_len = 65535
 
 ## Maximum topic levels allowed. 0 means no limit.
+## Depth so big may lead to subscribing performance issues.
 ##
-## Value: Number
-mqtt.max_topic_levels = 0
+## Value: Number [0-65535]
+## Default: 128
+mqtt.max_topic_levels = 128
 
 ## Maximum QoS allowed.
 ##
@@ -242,7 +244,7 @@ mqtt.ignore_loop_deliver = false
 mqtt.strict_mode = false
 
 ## Specify the response information returned to the client
-## 
+##
 ## Value: String
 ## mqtt.response_information = example
 
diff --git a/etc/zones.conf b/etc/zones.conf
index a290eaa4d..47d3e2232 100644
--- a/etc/zones.conf
+++ b/etc/zones.conf
@@ -57,9 +57,11 @@ zone.external.force_shutdown_policy = 10000|32MB
 ## zone.external.max_clientid_len = 1024
 
 ## Maximum topic levels allowed. 0 means no limit.
+## Depth so big may lead to subscribing performance issues.
 ##
-## Value: Number
-## zone.external.max_topic_levels = 7
+## Value: Number [0-65535]
+## Default 7
+zone.external.max_topic_levels = 7
 
 ## Maximum QoS allowed.
 ##
@@ -250,7 +252,7 @@ zone.external.ignore_loop_deliver = false
 zone.external.strict_mode = false
 
 ## Specify the response information returned to the client
-## 
+##
 ## Value: String
 ## zone.external.response_information = example
 
@@ -341,7 +343,7 @@ zone.internal.ignore_loop_deliver = false
 zone.internal.strict_mode = false
 
 ## Specify the response information returned to the client
-## 
+##
 ## Value: String
 ## zone.internal.response_information = example
 
diff --git a/priv/emqx.schema b/priv/emqx.schema
index 4bfa44c6a..0ff956869 100644
--- a/priv/emqx.schema
+++ b/priv/emqx.schema
@@ -757,7 +757,7 @@ end}.
 
 %% @doc Set the Maximum topic levels.
 {mapping, "mqtt.max_topic_levels", "emqx.max_topic_levels", [
-  {default, 0},
+  {default, 128},
   {datatype, integer}
 ]}.
 
diff --git a/test/emqx_channel_SUITE.erl b/test/emqx_channel_SUITE.erl
index 613da40ac..12c024775 100644
--- a/test/emqx_channel_SUITE.erl
+++ b/test/emqx_channel_SUITE.erl
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ t_chan_caps(_) ->
      #{max_clientid_len := 65535,
        max_qos_allowed := 2,
        max_topic_alias := 65535,
-       max_topic_levels := 0,
+       max_topic_levels := 128,
        retain_available := true,
        shared_subscription := true,
        subscription_identifiers := true,
@@ -768,4 +768,3 @@ session(InitFields) when is_map(InitFields) ->
 quota() ->
     emqx_limiter:init(zone, [{conn_messages_routing, {5, 1}},
                              {overall_messages_routing, {10, 1}}]).
-