diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1954c367..b87270db 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ The number of minutes used to calculate the scaling multiplier if a pending tran
 
 The maximum scaling multiplier used when the pending transaction lag exceeds the `scalingWindow`.
 
-#### `deviationThresholdCoefficient`
+#### `deviationThresholdCoefficient` _(optional)_
 
 The global coefficient applied to all deviation checks. Used to differentiate alternate deployments. For example:
 
@@ -199,6 +199,8 @@ The global coefficient applied to all deviation checks. Used to differentiate al
 "deviationThresholdCoefficient": 1,
 ```
 
+Defaults to `1`.
+
 #### `dataFeedUpdateInterval`
 
 The interval specifying how often to run the data feed update loop. In seconds.
diff --git a/src/config/schema.ts b/src/config/schema.ts
index 5b838dfb..dccfdbeb 100644
--- a/src/config/schema.ts
+++ b/src/config/schema.ts
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ export const configSchema = z
     sponsorWalletMnemonic: z.string().refine((mnemonic) => ethers.utils.isValidMnemonic(mnemonic), 'Invalid mnemonic'),
     chains: chainsSchema,
     fetchInterval: z.number().positive(), // TODO: Rename to signedDataFetchInterval
-    deviationThresholdCoefficient: z.number(),
+    deviationThresholdCoefficient: z.number().positive().optional().default(1), // Explicitly agreed to make this optional. See: https://github.com/api3dao/airseeker-v2/pull/20#issuecomment-1750856113.
   })
   .strict();