diff --git a/clients/cli/utils.c b/clients/cli/utils.c
index ea2c7de860..8cbfe9f2fa 100644
--- a/clients/cli/utils.c
+++ b/clients/cli/utils.c
@@ -1092,7 +1092,18 @@ _print_fill (const NmcConfig *nmc_config,
 
 			nm_assert (!to_free || value == to_free);
 
-			if (!nmc_config->overview || !is_default)
+			if (   is_default
+			    && (   nmc_config->overview
+			        || NM_FLAGS_HAS (text_out_flags, NM_META_ACCESSOR_GET_OUT_FLAGS_HIDE))) {
+				/* don't mark the entry for display. This is to shorten the output in case
+				 * the property is the default value. But we only do that, if the user
+				 * opts in to this behavior (-overview), or of the property marks itself
+				 * elegible to be hidden.
+				 *
+				 * In general, only new API shall mark itself eligible to be hidden.
+				 * Long established properties cannot, because it would be a change
+				 * in behavior. */
+			} else
 				header_cell->to_print = TRUE;
 
 			if (NM_FLAGS_HAS (text_out_flags, NM_META_ACCESSOR_GET_OUT_FLAGS_STRV)) {
diff --git a/clients/common/nm-meta-setting-desc.h b/clients/common/nm-meta-setting-desc.h
index acb0a223b1..31f1dd51bd 100644
--- a/clients/common/nm-meta-setting-desc.h
+++ b/clients/common/nm-meta-setting-desc.h
@@ -148,6 +148,11 @@ typedef enum {
 typedef enum {
 	NM_META_ACCESSOR_GET_OUT_FLAGS_NONE                                     = 0,
 	NM_META_ACCESSOR_GET_OUT_FLAGS_STRV                                     = (1LL <<  0),
+
+	/* the property allows to be hidden, if and only if, it's value is set to the
+	 * default. This should only be set by new properties, to preserve behavior
+	 * of old properties, which were always printed. */
+	NM_META_ACCESSOR_GET_OUT_FLAGS_HIDE                                     = (1LL <<  1),
 } NMMetaAccessorGetOutFlags;
 
 typedef enum {