diff --git a/synapse/storage/group_server.py b/synapse/storage/group_server.py
index 9e63db5c6..d2437ff9c 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/group_server.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/group_server.py
@@ -1026,6 +1026,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 "avatar_url": avatar_url,
                 "short_description": short_description,
                 "long_description": long_description,
+                "is_public": True,
             },
             desc="create_group",
         )