diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/split.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/split.py
index f48a68632f..da61e061a1 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/split.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/split.py
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ class SplitMongoModuleStore(ModuleStoreWriteBase):
         }
         return envelope
 
-    def get_courses(self, branch='published', qualifiers=None):
+    def get_courses(self, branch='draft', qualifiers=None):
         '''
         Returns a list of course descriptors matching any given qualifiers.
 
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ class SplitMongoModuleStore(ModuleStoreWriteBase):
         Note, this is to find the current head of the named branch type
         (e.g., 'draft'). To get specific versions via guid use get_course.
 
-        :param branch: the branch for which to return courses. Default value is 'published'.
+        :param branch: the branch for which to return courses. Default value is 'draft'.
         :param qualifiers: a optional dict restricting which elements should match
         '''
         if qualifiers is None:
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_split_modulestore.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_split_modulestore.py
index 653b2a2f70..d2121bffa1 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_split_modulestore.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_split_modulestore.py
@@ -163,8 +163,6 @@ class SplitModuleCourseTests(SplitModuleTest):
                              "children")
 
         _verify_published_course(modulestore().get_courses(branch='published'))
-        # default for branch is 'published'.
-        _verify_published_course(modulestore().get_courses())
 
     def test_search_qualifiers(self):
         # query w/ search criteria