diff --git a/src/Mod/BIM/nativeifc/ifc_import.py b/src/Mod/BIM/nativeifc/ifc_import.py
index 10ee53fb10..a09b741366 100644
--- a/src/Mod/BIM/nativeifc/ifc_import.py
+++ b/src/Mod/BIM/nativeifc/ifc_import.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def open(filename):
     doc = FreeCAD.newDocument()
     doc.Label = name
     FreeCAD.setActiveDocument(doc.Name)
-    insert(filename, doc.Name, singledoc=True)
+    insert(filename, doc.Name, singledoc=None)
     del FreeCAD.IsOpeningIFC
     QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(100, unset_modified)
     return doc
@@ -62,9 +62,13 @@ def insert(
     shapemode=None,
     switchwb=None,
     silent=False,
-    singledoc=None,
+    singledoc=False,
 ):
-    """Inserts an IFC document in a FreeCAD document"""
+    """Inserts an IFC document in a FreeCAD document.
+    Singledoc defines if the produced result is a locked document or not. The
+    strategy is:
+    - When opening IFC files, locked/unlocked depends on the preferences (default locked)
+    - When inserting IFC files, always unlocked (an IFC doc object is created)"""
 
     from PySide import QtCore  # lazy loading
 
@@ -78,7 +82,7 @@ def insert(
     except:
         document = FreeCAD.newDocument()
     if singledoc is None:
-        singledoc = PARAMS.GetBool("SingleDoc", False)
+        singledoc = PARAMS.GetBool("SingleDoc", True)
     if singledoc:
         prj_obj = ifc_tools.convert_document(document, filename, shapemode, strategy)
         QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(100, toggle_lock_on)