diff --git a/python-package/xgboost/sklearn.py b/python-package/xgboost/sklearn.py
index ef543f5f6..757778f65 100644
--- a/python-package/xgboost/sklearn.py
+++ b/python-package/xgboost/sklearn.py
@@ -1289,7 +1289,7 @@ class XGBClassifier(XGBModel, XGBClassifierBase):
         self,
         X: array_like,
         ntree_limit: Optional[int] = None,
-        validate_features: bool = False,
+        validate_features: bool = True,
         base_margin: Optional[array_like] = None,
         iteration_range: Optional[Tuple[int, int]] = None,
     ) -> np.ndarray: