diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0443f9e..e9b50e9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -56,6 +56,12 @@ text.send('1119491234567', 'Bonjour!', 'intl', function(err) {
 
 ```
 
+### Usage as a standalone server
+
+Textbelt can be run as a standalone server with: `node server/app.js`.  Be sure to install dependencies first with `npm install`.
+
+By default, the server listens on port 9090 and is configured to accept traffic from a reverse proxy or load balancer such as nginx.  To enable accurate IP rate limiting, the reverse proxy should be configured to set the `X-Real-IP` header.
+
 ### Canadian and International endpoints
 
 The /text endpoint supports U.S. phone numbers (and parts of Canada).
diff --git a/server/app.js b/server/app.js
index a92604d..448b6e4 100644
--- a/server/app.js
+++ b/server/app.js
@@ -89,7 +89,11 @@ function textRequestHandler(req, res, number, region, key) {
     res.send({success:false,message:'Sorry, texts to this number are disabled.'});
     return;
   }
-  var ip = req.header('X-Real-IP') || req.connection.remoteAddress;
+
+  var ip = req.connection.remoteAddress;
+  if (!ip || ip === '127.0.0.1') {
+    ip = req.header('X-Real-IP');
+  }
 
   var message = req.body.message;
   if (message.indexOf(':') > -1) {