diff --git a/lib/internal/dns/utils.js b/lib/internal/dns/utils.js
index 85918f0d43d5..57f371cc554a 100644
--- a/lib/internal/dns/utils.js
+++ b/lib/internal/dns/utils.js
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ const {
     ERR_DNS_SET_SERVERS_FAILED,
     ERR_INVALID_ARG_VALUE,
     ERR_INVALID_IP_ADDRESS,
+    ERR_MISSING_ARGS,
   },
 } = require('internal/errors');
 const { isIP } = require('internal/net');
@@ -162,10 +163,15 @@ class ResolverBase {
     }
   }
 
-
   setLocalAddress(ipv4, ipv6) {
-    validateString(ipv4, 'ipv4');
+    // Allow setting either IPv4 or IPv6 (or both). Throw if both are omitted.
+    if (ipv4 === undefined && ipv6 === undefined) {
+      throw new ERR_MISSING_ARGS('ipv4', 'ipv6');
+    }
 
+    if (ipv4 !== undefined) {
+      validateString(ipv4, 'ipv4');
+    }
     if (ipv6 !== undefined) {
       validateString(ipv6, 'ipv6');
     }