diff --git a/ruby/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/jruby/RubyMessage.java b/ruby/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/jruby/RubyMessage.java
index f8c3950237831..2b533dfc45063 100644
--- a/ruby/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/jruby/RubyMessage.java
+++ b/ruby/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/jruby/RubyMessage.java
@@ -700,7 +700,7 @@ public static IRubyObject encodeJson(
           options.fastARef(runtime.newSymbol("format_enums_as_integers"));
 
       if (emitDefaults != null && emitDefaults.isTrue()) {
-        printer = printer.includingDefaultValueFields();
+        printer = printer.alwaysPrintFieldsWithNoPresence();
       }
 
       if (preserveNames != null && preserveNames.isTrue()) {