diff --git a/packages/transactions/src/builders.ts b/packages/transactions/src/builders.ts
index 9c948cb89..b923a6634 100644
--- a/packages/transactions/src/builders.ts
+++ b/packages/transactions/src/builders.ts
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ export async function makeUnsignedContractDeploy(
     network: STACKS_MAINNET,
     postConditionMode: PostConditionMode.Deny,
     sponsored: false,
-    clarityVersion: ClarityVersion.Clarity2,
+    clarityVersion: ClarityVersion.Clarity3,
   };
 
   const options = Object.assign(defaultOptions, txOptions);
diff --git a/packages/transactions/tests/builder.test.ts b/packages/transactions/tests/builder.test.ts
index 90a2c4208..a01dcb4fc 100644
--- a/packages/transactions/tests/builder.test.ts
+++ b/packages/transactions/tests/builder.test.ts
@@ -716,6 +716,7 @@ test('Make smart contract deploy (defaults to versioned smart contract, as of 2.
     senderKey,
     fee,
     nonce,
+    clarityVersion: 2,
     network: STACKS_TESTNET,
   });
   expect(() => transaction.verifyOrigin()).not.toThrow();