diff --git a/management/commands/load_survey.py b/management/commands/load_survey.py
index 636df85..6eec4c9 100644
--- a/management/commands/load_survey.py
+++ b/management/commands/load_survey.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         parser.add_argument(
             '--batch_size', 
             type=int, 
-            required=True,
+            default=1000,
             help='Integer number of pixels to be inserted into the database at once'
         )