diff --git a/maven-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/execution/DefaultMavenExecutionRequest.java b/maven-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/execution/DefaultMavenExecutionRequest.java
index 9adece588d..ada000dc42 100644
--- a/maven-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/execution/DefaultMavenExecutionRequest.java
+++ b/maven-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/execution/DefaultMavenExecutionRequest.java
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ public class DefaultMavenExecutionRequest
 
     private boolean usePluginUpdateOverride;
 
-    private boolean isProjectPresent;
+    private boolean isProjectPresent = true;
 
     // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     // Request