diff --git a/lemur/authorities/schemas.py b/lemur/authorities/schemas.py
index 015b5cb9..7be7e871 100644
--- a/lemur/authorities/schemas.py
+++ b/lemur/authorities/schemas.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class AuthorityInputSchema(LemurInputSchema):
 class AuthorityUpdateSchema(LemurInputSchema):
     owner = fields.Email(required=True)
     description = fields.String()
-    active = fields.Boolean()
+    active = fields.Boolean(missing=True)
     roles = fields.Nested(AssociatedRoleSchema(many=True))
 
 
diff --git a/lemur/authorities/service.py b/lemur/authorities/service.py
index 5a30fc89..d9db015a 100644
--- a/lemur/authorities/service.py
+++ b/lemur/authorities/service.py
@@ -29,9 +29,7 @@ def update(authority_id, description=None, owner=None, active=None, roles=None):
     if roles:
         authority.roles = roles
 
-    if active:
-        authority.active = active
-
+    authority.active = active
     authority.description = description
     authority.owner = owner
     return database.update(authority)