diff --git a/src/basic_memory/cli/commands/project.py b/src/basic_memory/cli/commands/project.py
index c4893845..f2957ffa 100644
--- a/src/basic_memory/cli/commands/project.py
+++ b/src/basic_memory/cli/commands/project.py
@@ -89,8 +89,9 @@ def list_projects() -> None:
         if config.cloud_mode_enabled:
             table.add_column("Local Path", style="yellow", no_wrap=True, overflow="fold")
 
-        # Only show Default column if default_project_mode is enabled
-        if config.default_project_mode:
+        # Show Default column in local mode or if default_project_mode is enabled in cloud mode
+        show_default_column = not config.cloud_mode_enabled or config.default_project_mode
+        if show_default_column:
             table.add_column("Default", style="magenta")
 
         for project in result.projects:
@@ -108,8 +109,8 @@ def list_projects() -> None:
                     local_path = format_path(local_path)
                 row.append(local_path)
 
-            # Add default indicator if default_project_mode is enabled
-            if config.default_project_mode:
+            # Add default indicator if showing default column
+            if show_default_column:
                 row.append(is_default)
 
             table.add_row(*row)
diff --git a/src/basic_memory/services/project_service.py b/src/basic_memory/services/project_service.py
index aa1d9336..bd011968 100644
--- a/src/basic_memory/services/project_service.py
+++ b/src/basic_memory/services/project_service.py
@@ -234,16 +234,26 @@ class ProjectService:
         if not self.repository:  # pragma: no cover
             raise ValueError("Repository is required for remove_project")
 
-        # Get project path before removing from config
+        # Get project from database first
         project = await self.get_project(name)
-        project_path = project.path if project else None
+        if not project:
+            raise ValueError(f"Project '{name}' not found")
 
-        # First remove from config (this will validate the project exists and is not default)
-        self.config_manager.remove_project(name)
+        project_path = project.path
 
-        # Then remove from database using robust lookup
-        if project:
-            await self.repository.delete(project.id)
+        # Check if project is default (in cloud mode, check database; in local mode, check config)
+        if project.is_default or name == self.config_manager.config.default_project:
+            raise ValueError(f"Cannot remove the default project '{name}'")
+
+        # Remove from config if it exists there (may not exist in cloud mode)
+        try:
+            self.config_manager.remove_project(name)
+        except ValueError:
+            # Project not in config - that's OK in cloud mode, continue with database deletion
+            logger.debug(f"Project '{name}' not found in config, removing from database only")
+
+        # Remove from database
+        await self.repository.delete(project.id)
 
         logger.info(f"Project '{name}' removed from configuration and database")