diff --git a/resource_sql_database_instance.go b/resource_sql_database_instance.go
index 7ee5b5d6..128e4b74 100644
--- a/resource_sql_database_instance.go
+++ b/resource_sql_database_instance.go
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ func resourceSqlDatabaseInstance() *schema.Resource {
 			"database_version": &schema.Schema{
 				Type:     schema.TypeString,
 				Optional: true,
-				Default:  "MYSQL_5_5",
+				Default:  "MYSQL_5_6",
 				ForceNew: true,
 			},