diff --git a/configuration/configuration.go b/configuration/configuration.go
index 8681e85f7..2e37393e0 100644
--- a/configuration/configuration.go
+++ b/configuration/configuration.go
@@ -235,6 +235,10 @@ func (gc *GlobalConfiguration) SetEffectiveConfiguration(configFile string) {
 		} else {
 			gc.Docker.TemplateVersion = 2
 		}
+
+		if gc.Docker.SwarmModeRefreshSeconds <= 0 {
+			gc.Docker.SwarmModeRefreshSeconds = 15
+		}
 	}
 
 	if gc.Marathon != nil {