diff --git a/xmodule/course_block.py b/xmodule/course_block.py
index 27b5cabd4464..e2196990d6f7 100644
--- a/xmodule/course_block.py
+++ b/xmodule/course_block.py
@@ -729,7 +729,7 @@ class CourseFields:  # lint-amnesty, pylint: disable=missing-class-docstring
     invitation_only = Boolean(
         display_name=_("Invitation Only"),
         help=_("Whether to restrict enrollment to invitation by the course staff."),
-        default=False,
+        default=True,
         scope=Scope.settings
     )