diff --git a/syndicate/examples/server-chat-client.rkt b/syndicate/examples/server-chat-client.rkt
index a3dd9cb..d3e4f6d 100644
--- a/syndicate/examples/server-chat-client.rkt
+++ b/syndicate/examples/server-chat-client.rkt
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 (define host (make-parameter "localhost"))
 (define port (make-parameter 8001))
 (define scope (make-parameter "chat"))
+(define initial-username (make-parameter (symbol->string (strong-gensym 'chatter-))))
 
 (file-stream-buffer-mode (current-output-port) 'line)
 
@@ -18,10 +19,11 @@
   (command-line #:once-each
                 ["--host" hostname "Server hostname" (host hostname)]
                 ["--port" portnum "Server port number" (port (string->number portnum))]
-                ["--scope" scopename "Server scope" (scope scopename)]))
+                ["--scope" scopename "Server scope" (scope scopename)]
+                ["--nick" nick "User nickname" (initial-username nick)]))
 
 (spawn #:name 'main
-       (field [username (symbol->string (strong-gensym 'chatter-))])
+       (field [username (initial-username)])
 
        (define root-facet (current-facet))
        (define url (server-tcp-connection (host) (port) (scope)))