diff --git a/modules/elasticsearch/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/cluster/routing/allocation/ThrottlingNodeAllocation.java b/modules/elasticsearch/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/cluster/routing/allocation/ThrottlingNodeAllocation.java
index ba0ee3277e8..36e100c61b7 100644
--- a/modules/elasticsearch/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/cluster/routing/allocation/ThrottlingNodeAllocation.java
+++ b/modules/elasticsearch/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/cluster/routing/allocation/ThrottlingNodeAllocation.java
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ public class ThrottlingNodeAllocation extends NodeAllocation {
     @Inject public ThrottlingNodeAllocation(Settings settings) {
         super(settings);
 
-        this.concurrentRecoveries = componentSettings.getAsInt("concurrent_recoveries", Runtime.getRuntime().availableProcessors() + 1);
+        this.concurrentRecoveries = componentSettings.getAsInt("concurrent_recoveries", 2);
     }
 
     @Override public Decision canAllocate(ShardRouting shardRouting, RoutingNode node, RoutingAllocation allocation) {