diff --git a/ipykernel/kernelbase.py b/ipykernel/kernelbase.py
index 79bca7b4e..83aebe6f0 100644
--- a/ipykernel/kernelbase.py
+++ b/ipykernel/kernelbase.py
@@ -733,7 +733,7 @@ async def execute_request(self, stream, ident, parent):
         try:
             content = parent["content"]
             code = content["code"]
-            silent = content["silent"]
+            silent = content.get("silent", False)
             store_history = content.get("store_history", not silent)
             user_expressions = content.get("user_expressions", {})
             allow_stdin = content.get("allow_stdin", False)