diff --git a/oslo_service/_options.py b/oslo_service/_options.py
index ea192635..4062d9a5 100644
--- a/oslo_service/_options.py
+++ b/oslo_service/_options.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ service_opts = [
                 help='Enables or disables logging values of all registered '
                      'options when starting a service (at DEBUG level).'),
     cfg.IntOpt('graceful_shutdown_timeout',
-               default=0,
+               default=60,
                help='Specify a timeout after which a gracefully shutdown '
                     'server will exit. Zero value means endless wait.'),
 ]