diff --git a/src/groups/create.js b/src/groups/create.js
index eb90b52ba2..9a1f9c3954 100644
--- a/src/groups/create.js
+++ b/src/groups/create.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ module.exports = function (Groups) {
 		}
 
 		const memberCount = data.hasOwnProperty('ownerUid') ? 1 : 0;
-		const isPrivate = data.hasOwnProperty('private') ? parseInt(data.private, 10) : 1;
+		const isPrivate = data.hasOwnProperty('private') && data.private !== undefined ? parseInt(data.private, 10) === 1 : true;
 		const groupData = {
 			name: data.name,
 			slug: utils.slugify(data.name),
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ module.exports = function (Groups) {
 			memberCount: memberCount,
 			hidden: isHidden ? 1 : 0,
 			system: isSystem ? 1 : 0,
-			private: isPrivate,
+			private: isPrivate ? 1 : 0,
 			disableJoinRequests: disableJoinRequests,
 			disableLeave: disableLeave,
 		};
diff --git a/test/groups.js b/test/groups.js
index c6ca8b1568..3d1627e062 100644
--- a/test/groups.js
+++ b/test/groups.js
@@ -1161,7 +1161,8 @@ describe('Groups', function () {
 				assert.equal(groupData.name, 'newgroup');
 				assert.equal(groupData.description, 'group created by admin');
 				assert.equal(groupData.ownerUid, adminUid);
-				assert.equal(groupData.private, true);
+				assert.equal(groupData.private, 1);
+				assert.equal(groupData.hidden, 0);
 				assert.equal(groupData.memberCount, 1);
 				done();
 			});