diff --git a/plugins/modules/zypper_repository.py b/plugins/modules/zypper_repository.py
index a97c889346..716fd6e5fa 100644
--- a/plugins/modules/zypper_repository.py
+++ b/plugins/modules/zypper_repository.py
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ def main():
             runrefresh=dict(required=False, default=False, type='bool'),
             description=dict(required=False),
             disable_gpg_check=dict(required=False, default=False, type='bool'),
-            autorefresh=dict(required=False, default=False, type='bool', aliases=['refresh']),
+            autorefresh=dict(required=False, default=True, type='bool', aliases=['refresh']),
             priority=dict(required=False, type='int'),
             enabled=dict(required=False, default=True, type='bool'),
             overwrite_multiple=dict(required=False, default=False, type='bool'),