diff --git a/eve/utils.py b/eve/utils.py
index 9c028b8d0..d5fccdad2 100644
--- a/eve/utils.py
+++ b/eve/utils.py
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ def uuid_representation_as_string():
             "javaLegacy": UuidRepresentation.JAVA_LEGACY,
         }
         return uuid_map[
-            config.MONGO_OPTIONS.get("uuidRepresentation", UuidRepresentation.STANDARD)
+            config.MONGO_OPTIONS.get("uuidRepresentation", "standard")
         ]
 
     if ignore_fields: