diff --git a/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/rabbitmq/Properties.java b/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/rabbitmq/Properties.java
index 87ab475..4c64247 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/rabbitmq/Properties.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/rabbitmq/Properties.java
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
   }
 
   public String getAMQPUri() {
-    return pluginConfig.getString(Keys.AMQP_URI.property, "");
+    return pluginConfig.getString(Keys.AMQP_URI.property, "amqp://localhost");
   }
 
   public String getAMQPUsername() {
diff --git a/src/main/resources/Documentation/config.md b/src/main/resources/Documentation/config.md
index db99ae7..a69b833 100644
--- a/src/main/resources/Documentation/config.md
+++ b/src/main/resources/Documentation/config.md
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@
 ```
 
 rabbitmq.amqpUri
-:   The URI of RabbitMQ server's endpoint. **this is mandatory**.
+:   The URI of RabbitMQ server's endpoint. If not specified,
+    defaults to "amqp://localhost".
 
 rabbitmq.amqpUsername
 :   Username for RabbitMQ connection authentication. If not