diff --git a/pulsar-functions/pom.xml b/pulsar-functions/pom.xml
index fcbfb02de40ea2..d5dcc34ae84758 100644
--- a/pulsar-functions/pom.xml
+++ b/pulsar-functions/pom.xml
@@ -35,7 +35,11 @@
     <profile>
       <id>main</id>
       <activation>
-        <activeByDefault>true</activeByDefault>
+        <property>
+          <name>disableFunctionsMainProfile</name>
+          <!-- always active unless true is passed as a value -->
+          <value>!true</value>
+        </property>
       </activation>
         <modules>
           <module>proto</module>