diff --git a/client-webserver/client.py b/client-webserver/client.py
index 78dfd817a..39267d4ba 100755
--- a/client-webserver/client.py
+++ b/client-webserver/client.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import hashcash
 # It is OK to use the upstream M2Crypto here instead of our modified
 # version. (Same with hashcash)
 
-difficulty = 23   # bits of hashcash to generate
+difficulty = 20   # bits of hashcash to generate
 
 def sha256(m):
     return hashlib.sha256(m).hexdigest()
diff --git a/server-ca/chocolate.py b/server-ca/chocolate.py
index 4a65e99e9..318faa441 100755
--- a/server-ca/chocolate.py
+++ b/server-ca/chocolate.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ MaximumSessionAge = 100   # seconds, to demonstrate session timeout
 MaximumChallengeAge = 600 # to demonstrate challenge timeout
 HashcashExpiry = 60*60
 
-difficulty = 23           # bits of hashcash required with new requests
+difficulty = 20           # bits of hashcash required with new requests
 
 try:
     chocolate_server_name = open("SERVERNAME").read().rstrip()