diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/course_api/serializers.py b/lms/djangoapps/course_api/serializers.py
index 51a394d86a..7c8f2ee853 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/course_api/serializers.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/course_api/serializers.py
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ class CourseSerializer(serializers.Serializer):  # pylint: disable=abstract-meth
     pacing = serializers.CharField()
     mobile_available = serializers.BooleanField()
     hidden = serializers.SerializerMethodField()
+    invitation_only = serializers.BooleanField()
 
     # 'course_id' is a deprecated field, please use 'id' instead.
     course_id = serializers.CharField(source='id', read_only=True)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/course_api/tests/test_serializers.py b/lms/djangoapps/course_api/tests/test_serializers.py
index 3580599c51..3d685f1817 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/course_api/tests/test_serializers.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/course_api/tests/test_serializers.py
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ class TestCourseSerializer(CourseApiFactoryMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
             'pacing': 'instructor',
             'mobile_available': False,
             'hidden': False,
+            'invitation_only': False,
 
             # 'course_id' is a deprecated field, please use 'id' instead.
             'course_id': u'edX/toy/2012_Fall',