diff --git a/reno/config.py b/reno/config.py
index 03d0362..4783568 100644
--- a/reno/config.py
+++ b/reno/config.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class Config(object):
     _OPTS = {
         # The notes subdirectory within the relnotesdir where the
         # notes live.
-        'notesdir': 'notes',
+        'notesdir': defaults.NOTES_SUBDIR,
 
         # Should pre-release versions be merged into the final release
         # of the same number (1.0.0.0a1 notes appear under 1.0.0).
diff --git a/reno/defaults.py b/reno/defaults.py
index 1b2cf00..b30a18d 100644
--- a/reno/defaults.py
+++ b/reno/defaults.py
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@
 # under the License.
 
 RELEASE_NOTES_SUBDIR = 'releasenotes'
+NOTES_SUBDIR = 'notes'