diff --git a/can/interfaces/socketcan/socketcan_ctypes.py b/can/interfaces/socketcan/socketcan_ctypes.py
index eb8a8a9a3..15200225a 100644
--- a/can/interfaces/socketcan/socketcan_ctypes.py
+++ b/can/interfaces/socketcan/socketcan_ctypes.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class SocketcanCtypes_Bus(BusABC):
     channel_info = "ctypes socketcan channel"
 
     def __init__(self,
-                 channel=0,
+                 channel='vcan0',
                  receive_own_messages=False,
                  *args, **kwargs):
         """