diff --git a/backend/src/db/migrations/20250414234624_add-project-delete-protection.ts b/backend/src/db/migrations/20250414234624_add-project-delete-protection.ts
index bf5e438e1..f33353e42 100644
--- a/backend/src/db/migrations/20250414234624_add-project-delete-protection.ts
+++ b/backend/src/db/migrations/20250414234624_add-project-delete-protection.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ export async function up(knex: Knex): Promise<void> {
   const hasCol = await knex.schema.hasColumn(TableName.Project, "hasDeleteProtection");
   if (!hasCol) {
     await knex.schema.alterTable(TableName.Project, (t) => {
-      t.boolean("hasDeleteProtection").defaultTo(true);
+      t.boolean("hasDeleteProtection").defaultTo(false);
     });
   }
 }