diff --git a/src/session.c b/src/session.c
index 9e1da5cd..6025c133 100644
--- a/src/session.c
+++ b/src/session.c
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ ssh_session ssh_new(void)
 
     /* OPTIONS */
     session->opts.StrictHostKeyChecking = 1;
-    session->opts.port = 0;
+    session->opts.port = 22;
     session->opts.fd = -1;
     session->opts.compressionlevel = 7;
     session->opts.nodelay = 0;