diff --git a/data_diff/databases/mysql.py b/data_diff/databases/mysql.py
index bee1a2a8..ac924999 100644
--- a/data_diff/databases/mysql.py
+++ b/data_diff/databases/mysql.py
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ def __init__(self, host, port, user, password, *, database, thread_count, **kw):
 
         super().__init__(thread_count=thread_count)
 
-        self.default_schema = user
+        # In MySQL schema and database are synonymous
+        self.default_schema = database
 
     def create_connection(self):
         mysql = import_mysql()