diff --git a/data/avro-schema/src/main/resources/avro/net/corda/data/virtualnode/VirtualNodeUpgradeRequest.avsc b/data/avro-schema/src/main/resources/avro/net/corda/data/virtualnode/VirtualNodeUpgradeRequest.avsc
index 49b9b79a4a..a5e5493b72 100644
--- a/data/avro-schema/src/main/resources/avro/net/corda/data/virtualnode/VirtualNodeUpgradeRequest.avsc
+++ b/data/avro-schema/src/main/resources/avro/net/corda/data/virtualnode/VirtualNodeUpgradeRequest.avsc
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@
     {
       "name": "forceUpgrade",
       "type": "boolean",
-      "doc": "Whether this upgrade should be forced regardless of OperationInProgress."
+      "doc": "Whether this upgrade should be forced regardless of OperationInProgress.",
+      "default": false
     }
   ]
 }
\ No newline at end of file