diff --git a/src/BuildingPlacer.h b/src/BuildingPlacer.h
index ce4c9601bc063ac3d58738ad1acce56c6cdc479b..236e0f1d064b37d7496c1b8c2b539b6a82e264a9 100644
--- a/src/BuildingPlacer.h
+++ b/src/BuildingPlacer.h
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ public:
     bool canBuildHereWithSpace(int bx, int by, const UnitType & type, int buildDist) const;
 
     // returns a build location near a building's desired location
-    CCTilePosition getBuildLocationNear(const CCTilePosition & p, const UnitType & type, int buildDist, int search_count) const;
+    CCTilePosition getBuildLocationNear(const CCTilePosition & p, const UnitType & type, int buildDist, int search_count = 1000) const;
 
     void drawReservedTiles();