diff --git a/lib/nconf/provider.js b/lib/nconf/provider.js
index 65e4920..340a262 100644
--- a/lib/nconf/provider.js
+++ b/lib/nconf/provider.js
@@ -41,7 +41,11 @@ var Provider = exports.Provider = function (options) {
 //
 ['defaults', 'overrides'].forEach(function (type) {
   Provider.prototype[type] = function (options) {
-    return this.add('literal', options);
+    options = options || {};
+    if(!options.type) {
+      options.type = 'literal';
+    }
+    return this.add(type, options);
   };
 });