diff --git a/cmd/khepri/main.go b/cmd/khepri/main.go
index 64ac4e8b5..e3ccc3c6f 100644
--- a/cmd/khepri/main.go
+++ b/cmd/khepri/main.go
@@ -140,15 +140,17 @@ func main() {
 	log.SetOutput(os.Stdout)
 
 	opts.Repo = os.Getenv("KHEPRI_REPOSITORY")
-	if opts.Repo == "" {
-		opts.Repo = "khepri-backup"
-	}
 
 	args, err := flags.Parse(&opts)
 	if e, ok := err.(*flags.Error); ok && e.Type == flags.ErrHelp {
 		os.Exit(0)
 	}
 
+	if opts.Repo == "" {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "no repository specified, use -r or KHEPRI_REPOSITORY variable\n")
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
 	if len(args) == 0 {
 		cmds := []string{"init"}
 		for k := range commands {