diff --git a/db/migrate/20160225050317_add_user_options.rb b/db/migrate/20160225050317_add_user_options.rb
index 13df057cda4..965865197d8 100644
--- a/db/migrate/20160225050317_add_user_options.rb
+++ b/db/migrate/20160225050317_add_user_options.rb
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class AddUserOptions < ActiveRecord::Migration
             mailing_list_mode,
             email_digests,
             email_direct,
-            email_private_messages,
+            COALESCE(email_private_messages,true),
             external_links_in_new_tab,
             enable_quoting,
             dynamic_favicon,