diff --git a/etc/example.conf b/etc/example.conf
index 1699e3c8..390f4086 100644
--- a/etc/example.conf
+++ b/etc/example.conf
@@ -149,7 +149,9 @@ memcached_to_db_interval=900
 
 ;mysqlhost=127.0.0.1
 ;mysqlport=3306
-mysqlsocket=/tmp/mysql.sock
+; set the mysqlsocket parameter if the socket is not where the mysqlclient
+; library thinks it is. For most users the empty default is fine.
+mysqlsocket=
 mysqluser=piler
 mysqlpwd=verystrongpassword
 mysqldb=piler