diff --git a/Config.hs b/Config.hs
index 17a1fa9856..53f1a455fd 100644
--- a/Config.hs
+++ b/Config.hs
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ remoteCost r def = do
 
 cheapRemoteCost :: Int
 cheapRemoteCost = 100
+semiCheapRemoteCost :: Int
+semiCheapRemoteCost = 150
 expensiveRemoteCost :: Int
 expensiveRemoteCost = 200
 
diff --git a/Remote/Bup.hs b/Remote/Bup.hs
index 6a7609aad9..8d92792e19 100644
--- a/Remote/Bup.hs
+++ b/Remote/Bup.hs
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ gen :: Git.Repo -> UUID -> Maybe (M.Map String String) -> Annex (Remote Annex)
 gen r u c = do
 	bupremote <- getConfig r "bupremote" (error "missing bupremote")
 	let local = ':' `notElem` bupremote
-	cst <- remoteCost r (if local then cheapRemoteCost else expensiveRemoteCost)
+	cst <- remoteCost r (if local then semiCheapRemoteCost else expensiveRemoteCost)
 	
 	return $ this cst bupremote
 	where