diff --git a/build_image b/build_image
index e80ad9d634..d7f09fef37 100755
--- a/build_image
+++ b/build_image
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ fi
 . "${BUILD_LIBRARY_DIR}/prod_image_util.sh" || exit 1
 . "${BUILD_LIBRARY_DIR}/dev_image_util.sh" || exit 1
 . "${BUILD_LIBRARY_DIR}/test_image_content.sh" || exit 1
+. "${BUILD_LIBRARY_DIR}/vm_image_util.sh" || exit 1
 
 PROD_IMAGE=0
 DEV_IMAGE=0
@@ -216,7 +217,7 @@ print_image_to_vm() {
 To convert it to a virtual machine image, use:
   ./image_to_vm.sh --from=${OUTSIDE_OUTPUT_DIR} --board=${BOARD} ${flags}
 
-The default type is qemu, see ./image_to_vm.sh --help for other options.
+The default type is $(get_default_vm_type ${BOARD}), see ./image_to_vm.sh --help for other options.
 EOF
 }
 
diff --git a/build_library/vm_image_util.sh b/build_library/vm_image_util.sh
index 88b65c5d08..7e927c838e 100644
--- a/build_library/vm_image_util.sh
+++ b/build_library/vm_image_util.sh
@@ -296,6 +296,22 @@ IMG_interoute_BUNDLE_FORMAT=ova
 
 ###########################################################
 
+# Print the default vm type for the specified board
+get_default_vm_type() {
+    local board="$1"
+    case "$board" in
+    amd64-usr)
+        echo "qemu"
+        ;;
+    arm64-usr)
+        echo "qemu_uefi"
+        ;;
+    *)
+        return 1
+        ;;
+    esac
+}
+
 # Validate and set the vm type to use for the rest of the functions
 set_vm_type() {
     local vm_type="$1"
diff --git a/image_to_vm.sh b/image_to_vm.sh
index 8526606a2d..8f8071f196 100755
--- a/image_to_vm.sh
+++ b/image_to_vm.sh
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ DEFINE_string board "${DEFAULT_BOARD}" \
 
 # We default to TRUE so the buildbot gets its image. Note this is different
 # behavior from image_to_usb.sh
-DEFINE_string format "qemu" \
+DEFINE_string format "" \
   "Output format, one of: ${VALID_IMG_TYPES[*]}"
 DEFINE_string from "" \
   "Directory containing rootfs.image and mbr.image"
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ switch_to_strict_mode
 
 check_gsutil_opts
 
+if [[ -z "${FLAGS_format}" ]]; then
+    FLAGS_format="$(get_default_vm_type ${FLAGS_board})"
+fi
+
 if ! set_vm_type "${FLAGS_format}"; then
     die_notrace "Invalid format: ${FLAGS_format}"
 fi