diff --git a/gnu/services/dns.scm b/gnu/services/dns.scm
index 50753b7ab6..32fb8c0664 100644
--- a/gnu/services/dns.scm
+++ b/gnu/services/dns.scm
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ (define-record-type* <zone-file>
   (serial  zone-file-serial
            (default 1))
   (refresh zone-file-refresh
-           (default (* 2 24 3600)))
+           (default (* 12 3600)))
   (retry   zone-file-retry
            (default (* 15 60)))
   (expiry  zone-file-expiry