diff --git a/flake.nix b/flake.nix
index c9b2372..655bef7 100644
--- a/flake.nix
+++ b/flake.nix
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
             shellHook = ''
             ${ensure-home}
             source ${path}/.env
+            export GILDLAB_IPFS_NODE_CHANNEL="''${GILDLAB_IPFS_NODE_CHANNEL:-develop}"
             echo "channel is: $GILDLAB_IPFS_NODE_CHANNEL"
             '';
         };