diff --git a/squeakserver/server/main.py b/squeakserver/server/main.py
index b03047b2..84c49dff 100644
--- a/squeakserver/server/main.py
+++ b/squeakserver/server/main.py
@@ -38,7 +38,9 @@ def load_lightning_client(config) -> LNDLightningClient:
 def load_lightning_host_port(config) -> LNDLightningClient:
     if int(config['server']['price']) == 0:
         return None
-    lnd_host = config['lnd']['external_host'] or config['lnd']['host']
+    lnd_host = config['lnd']['host']
+    if 'external_host' in config['lnd']:
+        lnd_host = config['lnd']['external_host']
     lnd_port = int(config['lnd']['port'])
     return LightningAddressHostPort(
         lnd_host,