diff --git a/roles/bindep/README.rst b/roles/bindep/README.rst
index 84dc655e3..5f28344a5 100644
--- a/roles/bindep/README.rst
+++ b/roles/bindep/README.rst
@@ -8,11 +8,12 @@ then install the missing packages.
 **Role Variables**
 
 .. zuul:rolevar:: bindep_dir
-   :default: .
+   :default: {{ zuul.project.src_dir }}
 
    The directory to look for bindep files in.
 
 .. zuul:rolevar:: bindep_profile
+   :default: test
 
    A specific bindep profile to request.
 
diff --git a/roles/bindep/defaults/main.yaml b/roles/bindep/defaults/main.yaml
index cb9eb32c2..2438e30bb 100644
--- a/roles/bindep/defaults/main.yaml
+++ b/roles/bindep/defaults/main.yaml
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 ---
-bindep_dir: .
-bindep_profile: ""
+bindep_dir: "{{ zuul.project.src_dir }}"
+bindep_profile: test