diff --git a/moto/ec2/responses/instances.py b/moto/ec2/responses/instances.py
index 490ffb642..de17f0609 100644
--- a/moto/ec2/responses/instances.py
+++ b/moto/ec2/responses/instances.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class InstanceResponse(BaseResponse):
         private_ip = self._get_param("PrivateIpAddress")
         associate_public_ip = self._get_param("AssociatePublicIpAddress")
         key_name = self._get_param("KeyName")
-        ebs_optimized = self._get_param("EbsOptimized")
+        ebs_optimized = self._get_param("EbsOptimized") or False
         instance_initiated_shutdown_behavior = self._get_param(
             "InstanceInitiatedShutdownBehavior"
         )
diff --git a/tests/test_ec2/test_instances.py b/tests/test_ec2/test_instances.py
index 89d914fb0..0509e1a45 100644
--- a/tests/test_ec2/test_instances.py
+++ b/tests/test_ec2/test_instances.py
@@ -1335,6 +1335,12 @@ def test_create_instance_ebs_optimized():
     instance.load()
     instance.ebs_optimized.should.be(False)
 
+    instance = ec2_resource.create_instances(
+        ImageId="ami-12345678", MaxCount=1, MinCount=1,
+    )[0]
+    instance.load()
+    instance.ebs_optimized.should.be(False)
+
 
 @mock_ec2
 def test_run_multiple_instances_in_same_command():