diff --git a/doc/guide.tex b/doc/guide.tex
index d8afbabd7..e0bb42e4c 100644
--- a/doc/guide.tex
+++ b/doc/guide.tex
@@ -4990,6 +4990,9 @@ The command line parameters:
 	If using \term{-sname}, specify either this option or \term{ERL\_INETRC}.
   \titem{-kernel inet\_dist\_listen\_min 4200 inet\_dist\_listen\_min 4210}
 	Define the first and last ports that \term{epmd} (section \ref{epmd}) can listen to.
+  \titem{-kernel inet\_dist\_use\_interface "\{ 127,0,0,1 \}"}
+	Define the IP address where this Erlang node listens for other nodes
+        connections (see section \ref{epmd}).
   \titem{-detached}
         Starts the Erlang system detached from the system console.
 	Useful for running daemons and backgrounds processes.
@@ -5402,6 +5405,12 @@ The Erlang command-line parameter used internally is, for example:
 \begin{verbatim}
 erl ... -kernel inet_dist_listen_min 4370 inet_dist_listen_max 4375
 \end{verbatim}
+It is also possible to configure in \term{ejabberdctl.cfg}
+the network interface where the Erlang node will listen and accept connections.
+The Erlang command-line parameter used internally is, for example:
+\begin{verbatim}
+erl ... -kernel inet_dist_use_interface "{127,0,0,1}"
+\end{verbatim}
 
 
 \makesection{cookie}{Erlang Cookie}
diff --git a/src/ejabberdctl.cfg.example b/src/ejabberdctl.cfg.example
index 4a3db1c8b..fe703242e 100644
--- a/src/ejabberdctl.cfg.example
+++ b/src/ejabberdctl.cfg.example
@@ -50,6 +50,17 @@
 #
 #FIREWALL_WINDOW=
 
+#.
+#' INET_DIST_INTERFACE: IP address where this Erlang node listens other nodes
+#
+# This communication is used by ejabberdctl command line tool,
+# and in a cluster of several ejabberd nodes.
+# Notice that the IP address must be specified in the Erlang syntax.
+#
+# Default: {127,0,0,1}
+#
+INET_DIST_INTERFACE={127,0,0,1}
+
 #.
 #' ERL_PROCESSES: Maximum number of Erlang processes
 #
diff --git a/src/ejabberdctl.template b/src/ejabberdctl.template
index a21c6527c..f12a12482 100644
--- a/src/ejabberdctl.template
+++ b/src/ejabberdctl.template
@@ -82,6 +82,10 @@ else
     KERNEL_OPTS="-kernel inet_dist_listen_min ${FIREWALL_WINDOW%-*} inet_dist_listen_max ${FIREWALL_WINDOW#*-}"
 fi
 
+if [ "$INET_DIST_INTERFACE" != "" ] ; then
+    KERNEL_OPTS+="-kernel inet_dist_use_interface \"${INET_DIST_INTERFACE}\""
+fi
+
 ERLANG_OPTS="+K $POLL -smp $SMP +P $ERL_PROCESSES $ERL_OPTIONS"
 
 # define additional environment variables