diff --git a/features/desktop/signs_up.feature b/features/desktop/signs_up.feature
index dbbbf73fa..84b6381a3 100644
--- a/features/desktop/signs_up.feature
+++ b/features/desktop/signs_up.feature
@@ -37,6 +37,11 @@ Feature: new user registration
     Then I should be on the stream page
     And I close the publisher
 
+  Scenario: first status message is public
+    When I confirm the alert after I follow "awesome_button"
+    Then I should be on the stream page
+    And I should see "Public" within ".aspect_dropdown"
+
   Scenario: new user without any tags posts first status message
     When I confirm the alert after I follow "awesome_button"
     Then I should be on the stream page