diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f894bf5..2d288b4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ docker run -d \
 | GIT_SYNC_SUBMODULES             | `--submodules`             | git submodule behavior: one of 'recursive', 'shallow', or 'off'                                                                        | recursive                     |
 | GIT_SYNC_ROOT                   | `--root`                   | the root directory for git-sync operations, under which --dest will be created                                                         | "$HOME/git"                   |
 | GIT_SYNC_DEST                   | `--dest`                   | the name of (a symlink to) a directory in which to check-out files under --root (defaults to the leaf dir of --repo)                   | ""                            |
-| GIT_SYNC_WAIT                   | `--wait`                   | the number of seconds between syncs                                                                                                    | 0                             |
+| GIT_SYNC_WAIT                   | `--wait`                   | the number of seconds between syncs                                                                                                    | 1 (second)                    |
 | GIT_SYNC_TIMEOUT                | `--timeout`                | the max number of seconds allowed for a complete sync                                                                                  | 120                           |
 | GIT_SYNC_ONE_TIME               | `--one-time`               | exit after the first sync                                                                                                              | false                         |
 | GIT_SYNC_MAX_SYNC_FAILURES      | `--max-sync-failures`      | the number of consecutive failures allowed before aborting (the first sync must succeed, -1 will retry forever after the initial sync) | 0                             |
diff --git a/cmd/git-sync/main.go b/cmd/git-sync/main.go
index 2871368..5d5a0c8 100644
--- a/cmd/git-sync/main.go
+++ b/cmd/git-sync/main.go
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ var flRoot = flag.String("root", envString("GIT_SYNC_ROOT", envString("HOME", ""
 	"the root directory for git-sync operations, under which --dest will be created")
 var flDest = flag.String("dest", envString("GIT_SYNC_DEST", ""),
 	"the name of (a symlink to) a directory in which to check-out files under --root (defaults to the leaf dir of --repo)")
-var flWait = flag.Float64("wait", envFloat("GIT_SYNC_WAIT", 0),
+var flWait = flag.Float64("wait", envFloat("GIT_SYNC_WAIT", 1),
 	"the number of seconds between syncs")
 var flSyncTimeout = flag.Int("timeout", envInt("GIT_SYNC_TIMEOUT", 120),
 	"the max number of seconds allowed for a complete sync")