diff --git a/gns3server/schemas/controller/templates/iou_templates.py b/gns3server/schemas/controller/templates/iou_templates.py
index 3a6ed9efd..26a9f3a56 100644
--- a/gns3server/schemas/controller/templates/iou_templates.py
+++ b/gns3server/schemas/controller/templates/iou_templates.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class IOUTemplateBase(TemplateBase):
     startup_config: Optional[str] = Field("iou_l3_base_startup-config.txt", description="Startup-config of IOU")
     private_config: Optional[str] = Field("", description="Private-config of IOU")
     l1_keepalives: Optional[bool] = Field(
-        False,
+        True,
         description="Enable Layer 1 keepalives so IOU interfaces report accurate link state",
     )
     console_type: Optional[ConsoleType] = Field(ConsoleType.telnet, description="Console type")
diff --git a/tests/api/routes/controller/test_templates.py b/tests/api/routes/controller/test_templates.py
index 00a66cf26..6c127a5c0 100644
--- a/tests/api/routes/controller/test_templates.py
+++ b/tests/api/routes/controller/test_templates.py
@@ -1065,7 +1065,7 @@ class TestIOUTemplate:
                 "startup_config": "iou_l3_base_startup-config.txt",
                 "symbol": unittest.mock.ANY,
                 "use_default_iou_values": False,
-                "l1_keepalives": False,
+                "l1_keepalives": True,
             }
 
             for item, value in expected_response.items():