diff --git a/beacon_node/src/cli.rs b/beacon_node/src/cli.rs
index 0a32e864fd..22d16e6f05 100644
--- a/beacon_node/src/cli.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/src/cli.rs
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ pub fn cli_app<'a, 'b>() -> App<'a, 'b> {
             Arg::with_name("eth1-endpoint")
                 .long("eth1-endpoint")
                 .value_name("HTTP-ENDPOINT")
-                .help("Specifies the server for a web3 connection to the Eth1 chain.")
+                .help("Specifies the server for a web3 connection to the Eth1 chain. Also enables the --eth1 flag.")
                 .takes_value(true)
                 .default_value("http://127.0.0.1:8545")
         )
diff --git a/beacon_node/src/config.rs b/beacon_node/src/config.rs
index bdf759281d..581bbe1f44 100644
--- a/beacon_node/src/config.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/src/config.rs
@@ -216,6 +216,7 @@ pub fn get_configs<E: EthSpec>(
 
     // Defines the URL to reach the eth1 node.
     if let Some(val) = cli_args.value_of("eth1-endpoint") {
+        client_config.sync_eth1_chain = true;
         client_config.eth1.endpoint = val.to_string();
     }