self.log(f'Connecting: {server_conf}')
             hostname = server_conf['hostname']
             port = server_conf.get('port', -1)
-            nickname = server_conf.get('nickname', getuser())
+            nickname = server_conf.get('nickname', '')
             password = server_conf.get('password', '')
             username = server_conf.get('username', '')
-            realname = server_conf.get('realname', nickname)
+            realname = server_conf.get('realname', '')
             setup = IrcConnSetup(
                     hostname, port, nickname, username, realname, password)
             self._put(NewClientEvent(self._new_client(