diff --git a/extensions/resteasy-classic/rest-client-config/runtime/src/main/java/io/quarkus/restclient/config/RestClientConfig.java b/extensions/resteasy-classic/rest-client-config/runtime/src/main/java/io/quarkus/restclient/config/RestClientConfig.java
index d81ad68ef7316..1ac9d41c56ef7 100644
--- a/extensions/resteasy-classic/rest-client-config/runtime/src/main/java/io/quarkus/restclient/config/RestClientConfig.java
+++ b/extensions/resteasy-classic/rest-client-config/runtime/src/main/java/io/quarkus/restclient/config/RestClientConfig.java
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ public class RestClientConfig {
     /**
      * If set to false disables the keep alive completely.
      */
-    @ConfigItem(defaultValue = "true")
+    @ConfigItem
     public Optional<Boolean> keepAliveEnabled;
 
     /**