diff --git a/settings/env.defaults b/settings/env.defaults
index d9c36c10..c797742b 100644
--- a/settings/env.defaults
+++ b/settings/env.defaults
@@ -169,10 +169,10 @@ NOMINATIM_POLYGON_OUTPUT_MAX_TYPES=1
 # under <endpoint>.php
 NOMINATIM_SERVE_LEGACY_URLS=yes
 
-# Maximum number of connection a single API object can use. (Python API only)
+# Maximum number of DB connections a single API object can use.
 # When running Nominatim as a server, then this is the maximum number
 # of connections _per worker_.
-NOMINATIM_API_POOL_SIZE=10
+NOMINATIM_API_POOL_SIZE=5
 
 # Timeout is seconds after which a single query to the database is cancelled.
 # The user receives a 503 response, when a query times out.