diff --git a/deploy/convert_server.py b/deploy/convert_server.py
index f6713ab..c6f8949 100755
--- a/deploy/convert_server.py
+++ b/deploy/convert_server.py
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ try:
     execute("ALTER TABLE documents ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS zip_source text")
     execute("ALTER TABLE documents ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS content_hash text")
     execute("ALTER TABLE documents ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS batch_id uuid")
-    execute("ALTER TABLE documents ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS classify_status text")
+    execute("ALTER TABLE documents ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS classify_status text DEFAULT 'pending'")
+    execute("ALTER TABLE documents ALTER COLUMN classify_status SET DEFAULT 'pending'")
     execute("ALTER TABLE documents ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS doc_type text")
     execute("ALTER TABLE documents ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS own_number text")
     execute("ALTER TABLE documents ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS parent_number text")