diff --git a/crates/recent_projects/src/recent_projects.rs b/crates/recent_projects/src/recent_projects.rs
index 14a8ae7e9c..f2d0ad0f84 100644
--- a/crates/recent_projects/src/recent_projects.rs
+++ b/crates/recent_projects/src/recent_projects.rs
@@ -16,10 +16,14 @@ use workspace::{ModalView, Workspace, WorkspaceId, WorkspaceLocation, WORKSPACE_
 
 #[derive(PartialEq, Clone, Deserialize, Default)]
 pub struct OpenRecent {
-    #[serde(default)]
+    #[serde(default = "default_create_new_window")]
     pub create_new_window: bool,
 }
 
+fn default_create_new_window() -> bool {
+    true
+}
+
 gpui::impl_actions!(projects, [OpenRecent]);
 
 pub fn init(cx: &mut AppContext) {
@@ -269,7 +273,7 @@ impl PickerDelegate for RecentProjectsDelegate {
                                     workspace
                                         .update(&mut cx, |workspace, cx| {
                                             workspace.open_workspace_for_paths(
-                                                replace_current_window,
+                                                true,
                                                 candidate_paths,
                                                 cx,
                                             )
@@ -280,11 +284,7 @@ impl PickerDelegate for RecentProjectsDelegate {
                                 }
                             })
                         } else {
-                            workspace.open_workspace_for_paths(
-                                replace_current_window,
-                                candidate_paths,
-                                cx,
-                            )
+                            workspace.open_workspace_for_paths(false, candidate_paths, cx)
                         }
                     } else {
                         Task::ready(Ok(()))
diff --git a/crates/zed/src/app_menus.rs b/crates/zed/src/app_menus.rs
index 43b1d45c15..12a88ed216 100644
--- a/crates/zed/src/app_menus.rs
+++ b/crates/zed/src/app_menus.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ pub fn app_menus() -> Vec<Menu<'static>> {
                 MenuItem::action(
                     "Open Recent...",
                     recent_projects::OpenRecent {
-                        create_new_window: false,
+                        create_new_window: true,
                     },
                 ),
                 MenuItem::separator(),