diff --git a/cmd/cli/command/app/run.go b/cmd/cli/command/app/run.go
index 667fc51..2542b30 100644
--- a/cmd/cli/command/app/run.go
+++ b/cmd/cli/command/app/run.go
@@ -379,6 +379,10 @@ func findMatchingDeviceAddress(ctx context.Context, from string, defaultAddr str
 }
 
 func newAppRepository(host string, basePort uint64, manifests ...*app.Manifest) *appModuleMemory.Repository {
+	if host == "" {
+		host = "127.0.0.1"
+	}
+
 	return appModuleMemory.NewRepository(
 		func(ctx context.Context, id app.ID, from string) (string, error) {
 			appIndex := 0