diff --git a/libc/inet/resolv.c b/libc/inet/resolv.c
index 320aec4..f8066d2 100644
--- a/libc/inet/resolv.c
+++ b/libc/inet/resolv.c
@@ -2916,8 +2916,8 @@ static void res_sync_func(void)
 			__nameserver[n].sa4 = rp->nsaddr_list[n]; /* struct copy */
 #endif
 	}
-	__resolv_timeout = rp->retrans;
-	__resolv_attempts = rp->retry;
+	__resolv_timeout = rp->retrans ?: RES_TIMEOUT;
+	__resolv_attempts = rp->retry ?: RES_DFLRETRY;
 	/* Extend and comment what program is known
 	 * to use which _res.XXX member(s).