diff --git a/cmd/grumble/server.go b/cmd/grumble/server.go
index 425a209..4e1d95e 100644
--- a/cmd/grumble/server.go
+++ b/cmd/grumble/server.go
@@ -163,10 +163,14 @@ func (server *Server) ergoStateBroadcast(client *Client) {
 }
 
 func (server *Server) ergoConnection() {
-	conn, _ := net.Dial("tcp", "127.0.0.1:22843")
+       address := os.Getenv("GRUMBLE_ERGO_ADDR")
+       if len(address) == 0 {
+               address = "localhost"
+       }
+       conn, _ := net.Dial("tcp", net.JoinHostPort(address, "22843"))
 	server.ergo = conn
 	reader := bufio.NewReader(conn)
-	println("Connection established with ergo")
+       println("Connection established with ergo at ", address)
 	for {
 		// read client request data
 		data, err := reader.ReadBytes(byte('\n'))