diff --git a/src/irc.clj b/src/irc.clj
index 0036ca9..06aa7f0 100644
--- a/src/irc.clj
+++ b/src/irc.clj
@@ -19,6 +19,6 @@
       (irclj.core/connect server
        port
        nick
-       :real-name name
+       :real-name (or name nick)
        :callbacks {:privmsg (partial irc-callback state config)})
       (catch Exception e nil))))