diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8756369..9cd2768 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ When Newt receives WireGuard control messages, it will use the information encod
 - `log-level` (optional): The log level to use. Default: INFO
 - `updown` (optional): A script to be called when targets are added or removed.
 - `tls-client-cert` (optional): Client certificate (p12 or pfx) for mTLS. See [mTLS](#mtls)
-- `docker-socket` (optional): Override the Docker socket integration
+- `docker-socket` (optional): Set the Docker socket to use the container discovery integration
 
 - Example:
 
@@ -82,8 +82,7 @@ Newt can integrate with the Docker socket to provide remote inspection of Docker
 
 **Configuration:**
 
-- By default, Newt will look for the Docker socket at `/var/run/docker.sock`.
-- You can specify a custom socket path using the `--docker-socket` CLI argument or by setting the `DOCKER_SOCKET` environment variable.
+You can specify the Docker socket path using the `--docker-socket` CLI argument or by setting the `DOCKER_SOCKET` environment variable. On most linux systems the socket is `/var/run/docker.sock`
 
 If the Docker socket is not available or accessible, Newt will gracefully disable Docker integration and continue normal operation.
 
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index c5dd080..fdece97 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ func main() {
 		flag.StringVar(&tlsPrivateKey, "tls-client-cert", "", "Path to client certificate used for mTLS")
 	}
 	if dockerSocket == "" {
-		flag.StringVar(&dockerSocket, "docker-socket", "/var/run/docker.sock", "Path to Docker socket")
+		flag.StringVar(&dockerSocket, "docker-socket", "", "Path to Docker socket (typically /var/run/docker.sock)")
 	}
 
 	// do a --version check
@@ -400,9 +400,12 @@ func main() {
 
 	flag.Parse()
 
+	newtVersion := "Newt version replaceme"
 	if *version {
-		fmt.Println("Newt version replaceme")
+		fmt.Println(newtVersion)
 		os.Exit(0)
+	} else {
+		logger.Info(newtVersion)
 	}
 
 	logger.Init()
@@ -636,6 +639,18 @@ persistent_keepalive_interval=5`, fixKey(privateKey.String()), fixKey(wgData.Pub
 	client.RegisterHandler("newt/socket/check", func(msg websocket.WSMessage) {
 		logger.Info("Received Docker socket check request")
 
+		if dockerSocket == "" {
+			logger.Info("Docker socket path is not set")
+			err := client.SendMessage("newt/socket/status", map[string]interface{}{
+				"available":  false,
+				"socketPath": dockerSocket,
+			})
+			if err != nil {
+				logger.Error("Failed to send Docker socket check response: %v", err)
+			}
+			return
+		}
+
 		// Check if Docker socket is available
 		isAvailable := docker.CheckSocket(dockerSocket)
 
@@ -655,6 +670,11 @@ persistent_keepalive_interval=5`, fixKey(privateKey.String()), fixKey(wgData.Pub
 	client.RegisterHandler("newt/socket/fetch", func(msg websocket.WSMessage) {
 		logger.Info("Received Docker container fetch request")
 
+		if dockerSocket == "" {
+			logger.Info("Docker socket path is not set")
+			return
+		}
+
 		// List Docker containers
 		containers, err := docker.ListContainers(dockerSocket)
 		if err != nil {