diff --git a/src/datastar_py/litestar.py b/src/datastar_py/litestar.py
index 7492547..6e3590f 100644
--- a/src/datastar_py/litestar.py
+++ b/src/datastar_py/litestar.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ def __init__(
             status_code = status_code or 204
             content = tuple()
         else:
+            status_code = status_code or 200
             headers = {**self.default_headers, **(headers or {})}
         if isinstance(content, DatastarEvent):
             content = (content,)