diff --git a/ethereal/config.go b/ethereal/config.go
index e4bdb0a000..817befc2c8 100644
--- a/ethereal/config.go
+++ b/ethereal/config.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func Init() {
 	flag.StringVar(&OutboundPort, "p", "30303", "listening port")
 	flag.StringVar(&DataDir, "dir", ".ethereal", "ethereum data directory")
 	flag.StringVar(&ImportKey, "import", "", "imports the given private key (hex)")
-	flag.IntVar(&MaxPeer, "x", 5, "maximum desired peers")
+	flag.IntVar(&MaxPeer, "x", 10, "maximum desired peers")
 	flag.StringVar(&AssetPath, "asset_path", "", "absolute path to GUI assets directory")
 
 	flag.Parse()
diff --git a/ethereum/config.go b/ethereum/config.go
index 090c022b03..117aa6f2ca 100644
--- a/ethereum/config.go
+++ b/ethereum/config.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func Init() {
 	flag.StringVar(&LogFile, "logfile", "", "log file (defaults to standard output)")
 	flag.StringVar(&DataDir, "dir", ".ethereum", "ethereum data directory")
 	flag.StringVar(&ImportKey, "import", "", "imports the given private key (hex)")
-	flag.IntVar(&MaxPeer, "x", 5, "maximum desired peers")
+	flag.IntVar(&MaxPeer, "x", 10, "maximum desired peers")
 	flag.BoolVar(&StartJsConsole, "js", false, "exp")
 	flag.StringVar(&InputFile, "e", "", "Run javascript file")