diff --git a/chronyc.1.in b/chronyc.1.in
index 09d044a..a7c91c7 100644
--- a/chronyc.1.in
+++ b/chronyc.1.in
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ A summary of the options supported by \fBchronyc\fR is included below.
 
 .TP
 \fB\-h\fR \fIhostname\fR
-specify hostname
+specify hostname (default 127.0.0.1)
 .TP
 \fB\-p\fR \fIport-number\fR
 specify port-number
diff --git a/client.c b/client.c
index 37a0c50..afae699 100644
--- a/client.c
+++ b/client.c
@@ -2729,7 +2729,7 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
   char *line;
   const char *progname = argv[0];
-  const char *hostname = "localhost";
+  const char *hostname = "127.0.0.1";
   const char *conf_file = DEFAULT_CONF_FILE;
   int quit = 0, ret = 1, multi = 0, auto_auth = 0, short_timeout = 1;
   int port = DEFAULT_CANDM_PORT;