diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index 2df1ad4..94999ff 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -141,6 +141,8 @@ Changes in version 1.1.0
 ========================
 
 * Added support for Django 2.1 and dropped support for Django < 1.11.
+* `.save()`, `.create()`, etc. now raise IntegrityError if `null` is not True
+  and no default value was specified (like built-in fields do).
 
 Changes in version 1.0.0
 ========================
diff --git a/src/picklefield/fields.py b/src/picklefield/fields.py
index 968b66d..d4964ab 100644
--- a/src/picklefield/fields.py
+++ b/src/picklefield/fields.py
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ class PickledObjectField(models.Field):
     can still do lookups using None). This way, it is still possible to
     use the ``isnull`` lookup type correctly.
     """
+    empty_strings_allowed = False
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         self.compress = kwargs.pop('compress', False)
diff --git a/src/picklefield/tests.py b/src/picklefield/tests.py
index 78a9850..d3d4244 100644
--- a/src/picklefield/tests.py
+++ b/src/picklefield/tests.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 import json
 from datetime import date
 
+import django.db
 from django.core import serializers
 from django.db import models
 from django.test import TestCase
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@ def testDataIntegrity(self):
 
         # Make sure the default value for default_pickled_field gets stored
         # correctly and that it isn't converted to a string.
-        model_test = TestingModel()
+        model_test = TestingModel(pickle_field=1, compressed_pickle_field=1)
         model_test.save()
         model_test = TestingModel.objects.get(id__exact=model_test.id)
         self.assertEqual((D1, S1, T1, L1), model_test.default_pickle_field)
@@ -197,3 +198,7 @@ def testNoCopy(self):
                 compressed_pickle_field='Copy Me',
                 non_copying_field='Dont copy me'
             )
+
+    def testAllNonNullFieldsNeedToBeSetForSave(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(django.db.IntegrityError):
+            MinimalTestingModel.objects.create()