diff --git a/packaging/language/maven_artifact.py b/packaging/language/maven_artifact.py
index 3c5e90686f7..c66a2dcfeee 100644
--- a/packaging/language/maven_artifact.py
+++ b/packaging/language/maven_artifact.py
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ def main():
         argument_spec = dict(
             group_id = dict(default=None),
             artifact_id = dict(default=None),
-            version = dict(default=None),
+            version = dict(default="latest"),
             classifier = dict(default=None),
             extension = dict(default='jar'),
             repository_url = dict(default=None),