diff --git a/lib/plausible/ingestion/acquisition.ex b/lib/plausible/ingestion/acquisition.ex
index d6024bf0e154..1c6af4431ece 100644
--- a/lib/plausible/ingestion/acquisition.ex
+++ b/lib/plausible/ingestion/acquisition.ex
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ defmodule Plausible.Ingestion.Acquisition do
       sms?(request) -> "SMS"
       mobile_push_notifications?(request, source) -> "Mobile Push Notifications"
       referral?(request, source) -> "Referral"
-      true -> "Direct"
+      true -> ""
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/test/plausible_web/controllers/api/external_controller_test.exs b/test/plausible_web/controllers/api/external_controller_test.exs
index 0e33cbc4ee01..55b7de64d6fc 100644
--- a/test/plausible_web/controllers/api/external_controller_test.exs
+++ b/test/plausible_web/controllers/api/external_controller_test.exs
@@ -1940,7 +1940,7 @@ defmodule PlausibleWeb.Api.ExternalControllerTest do
       session = get_created_session(site)
 
       assert response(conn, 202) == "ok"
-      assert session.channel == "Direct"
+      assert session.channel == ""
     end
   end