diff --git a/acme/acme/messages.py b/acme/acme/messages.py
index df295bf2b..7e86b0c3b 100644
--- a/acme/acme/messages.py
+++ b/acme/acme/messages.py
@@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ class Order(ResourceBody):
     """
     identifiers = jose.Field('identifiers', omitempty=True)
     status = jose.Field('status', decoder=Status.from_json,
-                        omitempty=True, default=STATUS_PENDING)
+                        omitempty=True)
     authorizations = jose.Field('authorizations', omitempty=True)
     certificate = jose.Field('certificate', omitempty=True)
     finalize = jose.Field('finalize', omitempty=True)