diff --git a/doc/guix.texi b/doc/guix.texi
index 2ab78d6237..ba4bd2cc79 100644
--- a/doc/guix.texi
+++ b/doc/guix.texi
@@ -26247,7 +26247,7 @@ Data type representing the configuration for the
 @code{postgresql-service-type}.
 
 @table @asis
-@item @code{postgresql} (default: @code{postgresql})
+@item @code{postgresql}
 PostgreSQL package to use for the service.
 
 @item @code{port} (default: @code{5432})
diff --git a/gnu/services/databases.scm b/gnu/services/databases.scm
index 0933eb5e79..e8a4acc996 100644
--- a/gnu/services/databases.scm
+++ b/gnu/services/databases.scm
@@ -167,8 +167,11 @@ (define contents
 (define-record-type* <postgresql-configuration>
   postgresql-configuration make-postgresql-configuration
   postgresql-configuration?
-  (postgresql         postgresql-configuration-postgresql ;file-like
-                      (default postgresql))
+  ;; Setting no default ensures that the user sets its current postgresql
+  ;; explicitely.  Since major upgrades currently require a manual migration
+  ;; of the database, this way the user is responsible for upgrading properly.
+  ;; MAYBE TODO: Write an action to automatically upgrade in Guix.
+  (postgresql         postgresql-configuration-postgresql) ;file-like
   (port               postgresql-configuration-port
                       (default 5432))
   (locale             postgresql-configuration-locale
@@ -343,10 +346,9 @@ (define postgresql-service-type
           (service-extension
            profile-service-type
            (compose list postgresql-configuration-postgresql))))
-   (default-value (postgresql-configuration))
    (description "Run the PostgreSQL database server.")))
 
-(define-deprecated (postgresql-service #:key (postgresql postgresql)
+(define-deprecated (postgresql-service #:key (postgresql postgresql-10)
                                        (port 5432)
                                        (locale "en_US.utf8")
                                        (config-file (postgresql-config-file))