diff --git a/endpoints/appr/registry.py b/endpoints/appr/registry.py
index f57036360..467a9cb07 100644
--- a/endpoints/appr/registry.py
+++ b/endpoints/appr/registry.py
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ def push(namespace, package_name):
     raise InvalidUsage()
 
   values = request.get_json(force=True, silent=True) or {}
-  private = values.get('visibility', 'public')
+  private = values.get('visibility', 'private')
 
   owner = get_authenticated_user()
   if not Package.exists(reponame):