diff --git a/magpie/api/management/service/service_views.py b/magpie/api/management/service/service_views.py
index da0960e08..d110f57aa 100644
--- a/magpie/api/management/service/service_views.py
+++ b/magpie/api/management/service/service_views.py
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ def create_service_direct_resource(request):
     """Register a new resource directly under a service."""
     service = get_service_matchdict_checked(request)
     resource_name = get_multiformat_post(request, 'resource_name')
-    resource_display_name = get_multiformat_post(request, 'resource_display_name')
+    resource_display_name = get_multiformat_post(request, 'resource_display_name', default=resource_name)
     resource_type = get_multiformat_post(request, 'resource_type')
     parent_id = get_multiformat_post(request, 'parent_id')  # no check because None/empty is allowed
     if not parent_id:
diff --git a/tests/interfaces.py b/tests/interfaces.py
index 0c9f3f757..9e42d29f8 100644
--- a/tests/interfaces.py
+++ b/tests/interfaces.py
@@ -537,6 +537,24 @@ def test_PostResources_DirectServiceResource(self):
         utils.check_post_resource_structure(json_body, self.test_resource_name, self.test_resource_type,
                                             self.test_resource_name, self.version)
 
+    @pytest.mark.resources
+    @unittest.skipUnless(runner.MAGPIE_TEST_RESOURCES, reason=runner.MAGPIE_TEST_DISABLED_MESSAGE('resources'))
+    def test_PostResources_DirectServiceResource(self):
+        service_info = utils.TestSetup.get_ExistingTestServiceInfo(self)
+        service_resource_id = service_info['resource_id']
+
+        data = {
+            "resource_name": self.test_resource_name,
+            # resource_display_name should default to self.test_resource_name,
+            "resource_type": self.test_resource_type,
+            "parent_id": service_resource_id
+        }
+        resp = utils.test_request(self.url, 'POST', '/resources',
+                                  headers=self.json_headers, cookies=self.cookies, data=data)
+        json_body = utils.check_response_basic_info(resp, 201)
+        utils.check_post_resource_structure(json_body, self.test_resource_name, self.test_resource_type,
+                                            self.test_resource_name, self.version)
+
     @pytest.mark.resources
     @unittest.skipUnless(runner.MAGPIE_TEST_RESOURCES, reason=runner.MAGPIE_TEST_DISABLED_MESSAGE('resources'))
     def test_PostResources_ChildrenResource(self):