diff --git a/osf/migrations/0036_institution_sso_in_progress.py b/osf/migrations/0036_institution_sso_in_progress.py
index 784188c4806..82f106b2e4b 100644
--- a/osf/migrations/0036_institution_sso_in_progress.py
+++ b/osf/migrations/0036_institution_sso_in_progress.py
@@ -13,6 +13,6 @@ class Migration(migrations.Migration):
         migrations.AddField(
             model_name='institution',
             name='sso_in_progress',
-            field=models.BooleanField(default=False),
+            field=models.BooleanField(default=True),
         ),
     ]
diff --git a/osf/models/institution.py b/osf/models/institution.py
index fa2c42aa552..e658f72aa5e 100644
--- a/osf/models/institution.py
+++ b/osf/models/institution.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class Institution(DirtyFieldsMixin, Loggable, ObjectIDMixin, BaseModel, Guardian
         default='',
         help_text='Full URL where institutional admins can access archived metrics reports.',
     )
-    sso_in_progress = models.BooleanField(default=False)
+    sso_in_progress = models.BooleanField(default=True)
 
     class Meta:
         # custom permissions for use in the OSF Admin App
@@ -252,6 +252,7 @@ def reactivate(self):
         """
         if self.deactivated:
             self.deactivated = None
+            self.sso_in_progress = True
             self.save()
         else:
             message = f'Action rejected - reactivating an active institution [{self._id}].'
diff --git a/osf_tests/test_institution.py b/osf_tests/test_institution.py
index b0575d02fe6..a527aa6c17b 100644
--- a/osf_tests/test_institution.py
+++ b/osf_tests/test_institution.py
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ def test_reactivate_institution(self):
         institution.save()
         institution.reactivate()
         assert institution.deactivated is None
+        assert institution.sso_in_progress is True
 
     def test_send_deactivation_email_call_count(self):
         institution = InstitutionFactory()