diff --git a/util/importer.py b/util/importer.py
index d143197c6045ad8233143a843262fbf9359a573a..01f0aaa3463d8c57dcaf2a1d6a7d843aecf21a6e 100644
--- a/util/importer.py
+++ b/util/importer.py
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ def load_hektor_json():
             log.warning(f"Updated submission type {submission_type}")
 
     for student in exam_data['students']:
-        student_obj = user_factory.make_student(exam=exam,
+        student_obj = user_factory.make_student(exam=exam, is_active=False,
                                                 **student).student
         for submission_obj in student['submissions']:
             add_submission(student_obj, **submission_obj)