diff --git a/poetry/core/factory.py b/poetry/core/factory.py
index 22b892720..d5c2fa0d4 100644
--- a/poetry/core/factory.py
+++ b/poetry/core/factory.py
@@ -63,6 +63,8 @@ def create_poetry(self, cwd=None):  # type: (Optional[Path]) -> Poetry
         package.keywords = local_config.get("keywords", [])
         package.classifiers = local_config.get("classifiers", [])
 
+        package.private = local_config.get("private", False)
+
         if "readme" in local_config:
             package.readme = Path(poetry_file.parent) / local_config["readme"]
 
@@ -94,6 +96,7 @@ def create_poetry(self, cwd=None):  # type: (Optional[Path]) -> Poetry
                 package.add_dependency(name, constraint, category="dev")
 
         extras = local_config.get("extras", {})
+
         for extra_name, requirements in extras.items():
             package.extras[extra_name] = []
 
diff --git a/poetry/core/json/schemas/poetry-schema.json b/poetry/core/json/schemas/poetry-schema.json
index 8397ba8ab..38d8e0155 100644
--- a/poetry/core/json/schemas/poetry-schema.json
+++ b/poetry/core/json/schemas/poetry-schema.json
@@ -173,6 +173,10 @@
                     "description": "The full url of the custom url."
                 }
             }
+        },
+        "private": {
+            "type": "boolean",
+            "description": "Mark as private. Turn off the default publish behavior."
         }
     },
     "definitions": {