diff --git a/pelican/tools/templates/develop_server.sh.jinja2 b/pelican/tools/templates/develop_server.sh.jinja2
index f8bce79a..8a507564 100755
--- a/pelican/tools/templates/develop_server.sh.jinja2
+++ b/pelican/tools/templates/develop_server.sh.jinja2
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ function start_up(){
 #  MAIN
 ###
 [[ ($# -eq 0) || ($# -gt 2) ]] && usage
-port=''
+port='8000'
 [[ $# -eq 2 ]] && port=$2
 
 if [[ $1 == "stop" ]]; then