diff --git a/core/net/rpl/rpl-conf.h b/core/net/rpl/rpl-conf.h
index 0512591f5..3d6aa8b36 100644
--- a/core/net/rpl/rpl-conf.h
+++ b/core/net/rpl/rpl-conf.h
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@
  * Initial metric attributed to a link when the ETX is unknown
  */
 #ifndef RPL_CONF_INIT_LINK_METRIC
-#define RPL_INIT_LINK_METRIC        5
+#define RPL_INIT_LINK_METRIC        2
 #else
 #define RPL_INIT_LINK_METRIC        RPL_CONF_INIT_LINK_METRIC
 #endif