diff --git a/pmd/rulesets/design.xml b/pmd/rulesets/design.xml
index 97ab72b035..c7d0923b84 100644
--- a/pmd/rulesets/design.xml
+++ b/pmd/rulesets/design.xml
@@ -1421,6 +1421,15 @@ This field is used in only one method and the first usage is assigning a value
 to the field. This probably means that the field can be changed to a local variable.
       </description>
       <priority>3</priority>
+      <properties>
+        <!-- Disabled by default because these options generate false positives -->
+        <property name="CheckInnerClasses" description="Check inner classes">
+            <value>false</value>
+        </property>
+        <property name="DisallowNotAssignment" description="Disallow violations where the first usage is not an assignment">
+            <value>false</value>
+        </property>
+      </properties>
       <example><![CDATA[
 public class Foo {
     private int x;  //Why bother saving this?