diff --git a/crates/calcite-schema/src/version5.rs b/crates/calcite-schema/src/version5.rs
index e7ba1aa..701293c 100644
--- a/crates/calcite-schema/src/version5.rs
+++ b/crates/calcite-schema/src/version5.rs
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ impl ParsedConfiguration {
             version: Version::This,
             _schema: Some(CONFIGURATION_JSONSCHEMA_FILENAME.to_string()),
             model: None,
-            model_file_path: Some("./models/model.json".to_string()),
+            model_file_path: Some("/etc/connector/models/model.json".to_string()),
             fixes: Some(true),
             supports_json_object: None,
             jars: None,
diff --git a/crates/cli/src/lib.rs b/crates/cli/src/lib.rs
index 48b20aa..568bf34 100644
--- a/crates/cli/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/cli/src/lib.rs
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ async fn initialize(with_metadata: bool, context: &Context<impl Environment>) ->
             supported_environment_variables: vec![metadata::EnvironmentVariableDefinition {
                 name: "MODEL_FILE".to_string(),
                 description: "The calcite connection mode file path".to_string(),
-                default_value: Some("./models/model.json".to_string()),
+                default_value: Some("/etc/connector/models/model.json".to_string()),
             }],
             commands: metadata::Commands {
                 update: Some(update_command.to_string()),