diff --git a/jest/src/main/java/io/searchbox/client/config/HttpClientConfig.java b/jest/src/main/java/io/searchbox/client/config/HttpClientConfig.java
index 68602e6a4..c92eab675 100644
--- a/jest/src/main/java/io/searchbox/client/config/HttpClientConfig.java
+++ b/jest/src/main/java/io/searchbox/client/config/HttpClientConfig.java
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ public static class Builder extends ClientConfig.AbstractBuilder<HttpClientConfi
         private Integer defaultMaxTotalConnectionPerRoute;
         private Map<HttpRoute, Integer> maxTotalConnectionPerRoute = new HashMap<HttpRoute, Integer>();
         private CredentialsProvider credentialsProvider;
-        private LayeredConnectionSocketFactory sslSocketFactory = SSLConnectionSocketFactory.getSocketFactory();
+        private LayeredConnectionSocketFactory sslSocketFactory;
         private ConnectionSocketFactory plainSocketFactory = PlainConnectionSocketFactory.getSocketFactory();
         private HttpRoutePlanner httpRoutePlanner = new SystemDefaultRoutePlanner(ProxySelector.getDefault());
         private AuthenticationStrategy proxyAuthenticationStrategy;
@@ -242,6 +242,10 @@ public Builder proxy(HttpHost proxy, AuthenticationStrategy proxyAuthenticationS
         }
 
         public HttpClientConfig build() {
+            if (this.sslSocketFactory == null) {
+                // Lazily initialize if necessary, as the call can be expensive when done eagerly.
+                this.sslSocketFactory = SSLConnectionSocketFactory.getSocketFactory();
+            }
             return new HttpClientConfig(this);
         }