diff --git a/src/data/localGeojson.js b/src/data/localGeojson.js
index 8ad0c0ca1..3798552e0 100644
--- a/src/data/localGeojson.js
+++ b/src/data/localGeojson.js
@@ -35,11 +35,15 @@ export const localGeoJsonServices = Object.freeze({
 export function createLocalGeoJsonLayer(options) {
   return createLayer(options, {
     ...localGeoJsonServices,
-    overlayHost: options.overlayHost ?? localGeoJsonServices.overlayHost,
+    overlayHost: options.overlayHost === undefined
+      ? localGeoJsonServices.overlayHost : options.overlayHost,
   });
 }
 
 /** Create an overlay publisher using the standalone app's host by default. */
 export function createLocalInfrastructureOverlayPublisher(options) {
-  return createPublisher({ host: localGeoJsonServices.overlayHost, ...options });
+  return createPublisher({
+    ...options,
+    host: options.host === undefined ? localGeoJsonServices.overlayHost : options.host,
+  });
 }
diff --git a/src/data/localGeojson.test.mjs b/src/data/localGeojson.test.mjs
index ea8f14613..6f6b3a27d 100644
--- a/src/data/localGeojson.test.mjs
+++ b/src/data/localGeojson.test.mjs
@@ -1336,3 +1336,15 @@ test('globe-LOD re-selects during continuous motion, without ever seeing a moveE
   env.preRender.raise();
   assert.deepEqual(env.layer.getLodDiagnostics(), parked, 'a parked camera never re-selects');
 });
+
+
+test('standalone publisher retains its default host for an undefined override', () => {
+  const publisher = createLocalInfrastructureOverlayPublisher({
+    sourceId: 'local-default-host-test', host: undefined,
+  });
+  assert.doesNotThrow(() => {
+    publisher.show();
+    publisher.hide();
+    publisher.destroy();
+  });
+});