diff --git a/hydra-module.nix b/hydra-module.nix
index 95574798..3639d490 100644
--- a/hydra-module.nix
+++ b/hydra-module.nix
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ in
 
       buildMachinesFiles = mkOption {
         type = types.listOf types.path;
-        default = [];
+        default = [ "/etc/nix/machines" ];
         example = [ "/etc/nix/machines" "/var/lib/hydra/provisioner/machines" ];
         description = "List of files containing build machines.";
       };