diff --git a/config/config.exs b/config/config.exs
index e8c95c5087..eb8efe00d6 100644
--- a/config/config.exs
+++ b/config/config.exs
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@
   registrations_open: true,
   invites_enabled: false,
   account_activation_required: false,
-  account_approval_required: false,
+  account_approval_required: true,
   federating: true,
   federation_incoming_replies_max_depth: 100,
   federation_reachability_timeout_days: 7,
diff --git a/config/test.exs b/config/test.exs
index f4a11aaef8..791a9897c7 100644
--- a/config/test.exs
+++ b/config/test.exs
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
   notify_email: "noreply@example.com",
   skip_thread_containment: false,
   federating: false,
+  account_approval_required: false,
   external_user_synchronization: false,
   static_dir: "test/instance_static/"