diff --git a/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/xml/StaxEventItemReader.java b/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/xml/StaxEventItemReader.java
index b963c5b2f..b66866640 100644
--- a/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/xml/StaxEventItemReader.java
+++ b/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/xml/StaxEventItemReader.java
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ public class StaxEventItemReader<T> extends AbstractItemCountingItemStreamItemRe
 
 	private boolean noInput;
 
-	private boolean strict = false;
+	private boolean strict = true;
 	
 	public StaxEventItemReader() {
 		setName(ClassUtils.getShortName(StaxEventItemReader.class));