diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8a394c5..34c04ad 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ HTTP_GW_REQUEST_TIMEOUT=duration                 - Timeout for request
 HTTP_GW_REBALANCE_TIMER=duration                 - Time between connections checks
 HTTP_GW_LISTEN_ADDRESS=host:port                 - Address to listen connections
 HTTP_GW_PEERS_<X>_ADDRESS=host:port              - Address of NeoFS Node
-HTTP_GW_PEERS_<X>_WEIGHT=float                   - Weight of NeoFS Node
+HTTP_GW_PEERS_<X>_WEIGHT=float                   - Weight of NeoFS Node (1 if not specified)
 HTTP_GW_PPROF=bool                               - Enable/disable pprof (/debug/pprof)
 HTTP_GW_METRICS=bool                             - Enable/disable prometheus metrics endpoint (/metrics)
 HTTP_GW_LOGGER_FORMAT=string                     - Logger format
diff --git a/app.go b/app.go
index 1144de0..bafb90c 100644
--- a/app.go
+++ b/app.go
@@ -108,6 +108,9 @@ func newApp(ctx context.Context, opt ...Option) App {
 		if address == "" {
 			break
 		}
+		if weight <= 0 { // unspecified or wrong
+			weight = 1
+		}
 		pb.AddNode(address, weight)
 		a.log.Info("add connection", zap.String("address", address), zap.Float64("weight", weight))
 	}