diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/saml/metadata/ExtendedMetadata.java b/core/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/saml/metadata/ExtendedMetadata.java
index cf8e5d03e..a562a95cb 100755
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/saml/metadata/ExtendedMetadata.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/saml/metadata/ExtendedMetadata.java
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ public class ExtendedMetadata implements Serializable, Cloneable {
     /**
      * Flag indicating whether incoming LogoutResposne messages must be authenticated.
      */
-    private boolean requireLogoutResponseSigned;
+    private boolean requireLogoutResponseSigned = true;
 
     /**
      * If true received artifactResolve messages will require a signature, sent artifactResolve will be signed.