diff --git a/butterfly.server.py b/butterfly.server.py
index a8e3772..c2b3d82 100755
--- a/butterfly.server.py
+++ b/butterfly.server.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ tornado.options.define("unsecure", default=False,
                        help="Don't use ssl not recommended")
 tornado.options.define("login", default=True,
                        help="Use login screen at start")
-tornado.options.define("ssl_version", default='SSLv23',
+tornado.options.define("ssl_version", default=None,
                        help="SSL protocol version")
 tornado.options.define("generate_certs", default=False,
                        help="Generate butterfly certificates")
@@ -213,19 +213,21 @@ else:
               "2014/03/21/butterfly-with-ssl-auth.html\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
-    if not hasattr(
-            ssl, 'PROTOCOL_%s' % tornado.options.options.ssl_version):
-        print("Unknown SSL protocol %s" % tornado.options.options.ssl_version)
-        sys.exit(1)
     ssl_opts = {
         'certfile': cert % host,
         'keyfile': cert_key % host,
         'ca_certs': ca,
-        'cert_reqs': ssl.CERT_REQUIRED,
-        'ssl_version': getattr(
-            ssl, 'PROTOCOL_%s' % tornado.options.options.ssl_version)
+        'cert_reqs': ssl.CERT_REQUIRED
     }
-
+    if tornado.options.options.ssl_version is not None:
+        if not hasattr(
+                ssl, 'PROTOCOL_%s' % tornado.options.options.ssl_version):
+            print(
+                "Unknown SSL protocol %s" %
+                tornado.options.options.ssl_version)
+            sys.exit(1)
+        ssl_opts['ssl_version'] = getattr(
+            ssl, 'PROTOCOL_%s' % tornado.options.options.ssl_version)
 
 from butterfly import application
 
diff --git a/butterfly/__init__.py b/butterfly/__init__.py
index 4934631..250fae5 100644
--- a/butterfly/__init__.py
+++ b/butterfly/__init__.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 #
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-__version__ = '1.5.8'
+__version__ = '1.5.9'
 
 
 import os