diff --git a/internal/config/config.go b/internal/config/config.go
index a1560132..2e9c2168 100644
--- a/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/internal/config/config.go
@@ -162,6 +162,7 @@ func DefaultConfig() (Config, error) {
 		ReplicationRepairMaxAttempts:            3,
 		TestFilesystemReadonlyFile:              "", // fake readonly status, only for docker tests
 		ReplicationChannel:                      "",
+		ExternalReplicationChannel:              "external",
 		ExternalReplicationType:                 util.Disabled,
 	}
 	return config, nil