diff --git a/src/Microsoft.AspNet.Authentication.Cookies/CookieAuthenticationOptions.cs b/src/Microsoft.AspNet.Authentication.Cookies/CookieAuthenticationOptions.cs
index 1d0484ab64..88d41c6635 100644
--- a/src/Microsoft.AspNet.Authentication.Cookies/CookieAuthenticationOptions.cs
+++ b/src/Microsoft.AspNet.Authentication.Cookies/CookieAuthenticationOptions.cs
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.AspNet.Authentication.Cookies
         public CookieAuthenticationOptions()
         {
             AuthenticationScheme = CookieAuthenticationDefaults.AuthenticationScheme;
+            AutomaticAuthenticate = true;
             ReturnUrlParameter = CookieAuthenticationDefaults.ReturnUrlParameter;
             ExpireTimeSpan = TimeSpan.FromDays(14);
             SlidingExpiration = true;