diff --git a/app/schemas.py b/app/schemas.py
index 8ef213c8c..3e7741fa7 100644
--- a/app/schemas.py
+++ b/app/schemas.py
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ class NotificationsStatisticsSchema(BaseSchema):
 class ApiKeySchema(BaseSchema):
 
     created_by = field_for(models.ApiKey, 'created_by', required=True)
-    key_type = field_for(models.ApiKey, 'key_type', required=True, missing=models.KEY_TYPE_NORMAL)
+    key_type = field_for(models.ApiKey, 'key_type', required=True)
 
     class Meta:
         model = models.ApiKey
diff --git a/tests/app/service/test_api_key_endpoints.py b/tests/app/service/test_api_key_endpoints.py
index 35c354553..dfee92e2c 100644
--- a/tests/app/service/test_api_key_endpoints.py
+++ b/tests/app/service/test_api_key_endpoints.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def test_api_key_should_return_error_when_service_does_not_exist(notify_api, sam
             assert response.status_code == 404
 
 
-def test_create_api_key_should_set_default_key_type_of_normal(notify_api, sample_service):
+def test_create_api_key_without_key_type_rejects(notify_api, sample_service):
     with notify_api.test_request_context(), notify_api.test_client() as client:
         data = {
             'name': 'some secret name',
@@ -50,8 +50,10 @@ def test_create_api_key_should_set_default_key_type_of_normal(notify_api, sample
         response = client.post(url_for('service.create_api_key', service_id=sample_service.id),
                                data=json.dumps(data),
                                headers=[('Content-Type', 'application/json'), auth_header])
-        assert response.status_code == 201
-        assert ApiKey.query.one().key_type == KEY_TYPE_NORMAL
+        assert response.status_code == 400
+        json_resp = json.loads(response.get_data(as_text=True))
+        assert json_resp['result'] == 'error'
+        assert json_resp['message'] == {'key_type': ['Missing data for required field.']}
 
 
 def test_revoke_should_expire_api_key_for_service(notify_api, sample_api_key):