diff --git a/atst/models/task_order.py b/atst/models/task_order.py
index 1d006022..09e275b9 100644
--- a/atst/models/task_order.py
+++ b/atst/models/task_order.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class TaskOrder(Base, mixins.TimestampsMixin):
     so_id = Column(ForeignKey("users.id"))
     security_officer = relationship("User", foreign_keys="TaskOrder.so_id")
 
-    status = Column(SQLAEnum(Status, native_enum=False, default=Status.PENDING))
+    status = Column(SQLAEnum(Status, native_enum=False))
 
     scope = Column(String)  # Cloud Project Scope
     defense_component = Column(String)  # Department of Defense Component
@@ -65,6 +65,11 @@ class TaskOrder(Base, mixins.TimestampsMixin):
     number = Column(String, unique=True)  # Task Order Number
     loa = Column(ARRAY(String))  # Line of Accounting (LOA)
 
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        if "status" not in kwargs:
+            self.status = Status.PENDING
+
     @property
     def budget(self):
         return sum(
diff --git a/tests/models/test_legacy_task_order.py b/tests/models/test_legacy_task_order.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..80e02b05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/models/test_legacy_task_order.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+from tests.factories import LegacyTaskOrderFactory
+from tests.assert_util import dict_contains
+
+
+def test_as_dictionary():
+    data = LegacyTaskOrderFactory.dictionary()
+    real_task_order = LegacyTaskOrderFactory.create(**data)
+    assert dict_contains(real_task_order.to_dictionary(), data)
+
+
+def test_budget():
+    legacy_task_order = LegacyTaskOrderFactory.create(
+        clin_0001=500,
+        clin_0003=200,
+        clin_1001=None,
+        clin_1003=None,
+        clin_2001=None,
+        clin_2003=None,
+    )
+    assert legacy_task_order.budget == 700
diff --git a/tests/models/test_task_order.py b/tests/models/test_task_order.py
index 80e02b05..afd9611d 100644
--- a/tests/models/test_task_order.py
+++ b/tests/models/test_task_order.py
@@ -1,20 +1,9 @@
-from tests.factories import LegacyTaskOrderFactory
-from tests.assert_util import dict_contains
+from atst.models.task_order import TaskOrder, Status
 
 
-def test_as_dictionary():
-    data = LegacyTaskOrderFactory.dictionary()
-    real_task_order = LegacyTaskOrderFactory.create(**data)
-    assert dict_contains(real_task_order.to_dictionary(), data)
+def test_default_status():
+    to = TaskOrder()
+    assert to.status == Status.PENDING
 
-
-def test_budget():
-    legacy_task_order = LegacyTaskOrderFactory.create(
-        clin_0001=500,
-        clin_0003=200,
-        clin_1001=None,
-        clin_1003=None,
-        clin_2001=None,
-        clin_2003=None,
-    )
-    assert legacy_task_order.budget == 700
+    with_args = TaskOrder(number="42")
+    assert to.status == Status.PENDING