diff --git a/src/autotrain/__init__.py b/src/autotrain/__init__.py
index 45f2b72997..fe6312fa02 100644
--- a/src/autotrain/__init__.py
+++ b/src/autotrain/__init__.py
@@ -30,4 +30,4 @@
 warnings.filterwarnings("ignore", category=UserWarning, module="tensorflow")
 
 
-__version__ = "0.7.1.dev0"
+__version__ = "0.7.2.dev0"
diff --git a/src/autotrain/trainers/image_classification/__main__.py b/src/autotrain/trainers/image_classification/__main__.py
index 2d94db8322..7fa3194b72 100644
--- a/src/autotrain/trainers/image_classification/__main__.py
+++ b/src/autotrain/trainers/image_classification/__main__.py
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ def train(config):
             save_training_params(config)
             logger.info("Pushing model to hub...")
             api = HfApi(token=config.token)
-            api.create_repo(repo_id=config.repo_id, repo_type="model")
+            api.create_repo(repo_id=config.repo_id, repo_type="model", private=True)
             api.upload_folder(folder_path=config.project_name, repo_id=config.repo_id, repo_type="model")
 
     if PartialState().process_index == 0: