diff --git a/core/server/models/email.js b/core/server/models/email.js
index 41d8c0a2ef..9452d10085 100644
--- a/core/server/models/email.js
+++ b/core/server/models/email.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const Email = ghostBookshelf.Model.extend({
     defaults: function defaults() {
         return {
             uuid: uuid.v4(),
-            status: 'sending'
+            status: 'pending'
         };
     },
 
diff --git a/core/test/utils/fixtures/data-generator.js b/core/test/utils/fixtures/data-generator.js
index d067179365..a1fe3f4b51 100644
--- a/core/test/utils/fixtures/data-generator.js
+++ b/core/test/utils/fixtures/data-generator.js
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ DataGenerator.Content = {
         {
             id: ObjectId.generate(),
             uuid: '6b6afda6-4b5e-4893-bff6-f16859e8349a',
-            status: 'sending',
+            status: 'submitted',
             stats: '',
             email_count: 2,
             subject: 'You got mailed!',