diff --git a/scheduler_gui.py b/scheduler_gui.py
index 26d7f09..d5f452f 100755
--- a/scheduler_gui.py
+++ b/scheduler_gui.py
@@ -145,10 +145,13 @@ class ScheduleJob(Frame):
                 hostname = file.read()
                 server_data = request_data(hostname, 'status', timeout=server_setup_timeout)
                 if server_data:
-                    self.server_hostname = hostname
-                    self.server_button.configure(text=hostname)
+                    self.set_hostname(hostname)
         if not self.server_hostname:
-            self.request_new_hostname()
+            server_data = request_data('localhost', 'status', timeout=server_setup_timeout)
+            if server_data:
+                self.set_hostname(server_data['host_name'])
+            else:
+                self.request_new_hostname()
         self.fetch_server_data()
 
     def fetch_server_data(self):
@@ -179,11 +182,12 @@ class ScheduleJob(Frame):
                 messagebox.showerror("Cannot connect", f"Cannot connect to server \"{user_hostname_input}\"")
             else:
                 hostname = user_hostname_input
+        self.set_hostname(hostname)
+
+    def set_hostname(self, hostname):
         self.server_hostname = hostname
         self.server_button.configure(text=self.server_hostname)
-
-        # save to prefs
-        with open(prefs_name, 'w') as file:
+        with open(prefs_name, 'w') as file:  # save to prefs
             file.write(hostname)
 
     def choose_file_button(self):