diff --git a/beacon_node/src/cli.rs b/beacon_node/src/cli.rs
index 5150ab492b..41e787b677 100644
--- a/beacon_node/src/cli.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/src/cli.rs
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ pub fn cli_app<'a, 'b>() -> App<'a, 'b> {
             Arg::with_name("target-peers")
                 .long("target-peers")
                 .help("The target number of peers.")
-                .default_value("50")
+                .default_value("80")
                 .takes_value(true),
         )
         .arg(