diff --git a/cmd/swarm/config.go b/cmd/swarm/config.go
index 6d261d3055..e623de8bb1 100644
--- a/cmd/swarm/config.go
+++ b/cmd/swarm/config.go
@@ -179,7 +179,9 @@ func cmdLineOverride(currentConfig *bzzapi.Config, ctx *cli.Context) *bzzapi.Con
 		if err != nil {
 			utils.Fatalf("invalid cli flag %s: %v", SwarmNetworkIdFlag.Name, err)
 		}
-		currentConfig.NetworkID = id
+		if id != 0 {
+			currentConfig.NetworkID = id
+		}
 	}
 
 	if ctx.GlobalIsSet(utils.DataDirFlag.Name) {
@@ -272,7 +274,9 @@ func envVarsOverride(currentConfig *bzzapi.Config) (config *bzzapi.Config) {
 		if err != nil {
 			utils.Fatalf("invalid environment variable %s: %v", SWARM_ENV_NETWORK_ID, err)
 		}
-		currentConfig.NetworkID = id
+		if id != 0 {
+			currentConfig.NetworkID = id
+		}
 	}
 
 	if datadir := os.Getenv(GETH_ENV_DATADIR); datadir != "" {
diff --git a/cmd/swarm/main.go b/cmd/swarm/main.go
index 197836699c..4c9ce931ee 100644
--- a/cmd/swarm/main.go
+++ b/cmd/swarm/main.go
@@ -95,7 +95,6 @@ var (
 		Name:   "bzznetworkid",
 		Usage:  "Network identifier (integer, default 3=swarm testnet)",
 		EnvVar: SWARM_ENV_NETWORK_ID,
-		Value:  3,
 	}
 	SwarmSwapEnabledFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
 		Name:   "swap",