diff --git a/config/initializers/acts_as_taggable_on.rb b/config/initializers/acts_as_taggable_on.rb
index 2dac4e959..d9ec982a4 100644
--- a/config/initializers/acts_as_taggable_on.rb
+++ b/config/initializers/acts_as_taggable_on.rb
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ module ActsAsTaggableOn
 
     scope :public_for_api, -> do
       where(
-        tag: Tag.where(kind: [nil, "category"]),
+        # TODO: remove default_scoped after upgrading to Rails 6.1
+        tag: Tag.default_scoped.where(kind: [nil, "category"]),
         taggable: [Debate.public_for_api, Proposal.public_for_api]
       )
     end