diff --git a/builtin/settingtypes.txt b/builtin/settingtypes.txt
index c81dde7de..0e8783f83 100644
--- a/builtin/settingtypes.txt
+++ b/builtin/settingtypes.txt
@@ -840,7 +840,7 @@ active_block_mgmt_interval (Active Block Management interval) float 2.0
 abm_interval (Active Block Modifier interval) float 1.0
 
 #    Length of time between NodeTimer execution cycles
-nodetimer_interval (NodeTimer interval) float 1.0
+nodetimer_interval (NodeTimer interval) float 0.2
 
 #    If enabled, invalid world data won't cause the server to shut down.
 #    Only enable this if you know what you are doing.
diff --git a/minetest.conf.example b/minetest.conf.example
index 5c7533e93..a90cc7d8e 100644
--- a/minetest.conf.example
+++ b/minetest.conf.example
@@ -1027,7 +1027,7 @@
 
 #    Length of time between NodeTimer execution cycles
 #    type: float
-# nodetimer_interval = 1.0
+# nodetimer_interval = 0.2
 
 #    If enabled, invalid world data won't cause the server to shut down.
 #    Only enable this if you know what you are doing.
diff --git a/src/defaultsettings.cpp b/src/defaultsettings.cpp
index 84046f61c..bdf1f92ca 100644
--- a/src/defaultsettings.cpp
+++ b/src/defaultsettings.cpp
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ void set_default_settings(Settings *settings)
 	settings->setDefault("dedicated_server_step", "0.1");
 	settings->setDefault("active_block_mgmt_interval", "2.0");
 	settings->setDefault("abm_interval", "1.0");
-	settings->setDefault("nodetimer_interval", "1.0");
+	settings->setDefault("nodetimer_interval", "0.2");
 	settings->setDefault("ignore_world_load_errors", "false");
 	settings->setDefault("remote_media", "");
 	settings->setDefault("debug_log_level", "action");