diff --git a/ldclient/impl/http.py b/ldclient/impl/http.py
index 858fd371..9ebb0102 100644
--- a/ldclient/impl/http.py
+++ b/ldclient/impl/http.py
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ def _application_header_value(application: dict) -> str:
 
 def _base_headers(config):
     headers = {'Authorization': config.sdk_key or '',
-               'User-Agent': 'PythonClient/' + VERSION}
+               'User-Agent': 'PythonClient/' + VERSION,
+               'Accept-Encoding': 'gzip'
+               }
 
     app_value = _application_header_value(config.application)
     if app_value:
diff --git a/testing/impl/datasource/test_feature_requester.py b/testing/impl/datasource/test_feature_requester.py
index 2deb47b2..a38a31f6 100644
--- a/testing/impl/datasource/test_feature_requester.py
+++ b/testing/impl/datasource/test_feature_requester.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ def test_get_all_data_returns_data():
     with start_server() as server:
         config = Config(sdk_key = 'sdk-key', base_uri = server.uri)
         fr = FeatureRequesterImpl(config)
-        
+
         flags = { 'flag1': { 'key': 'flag1' } }
         segments = { 'segment1': { 'key': 'segment1' } }
         resp_data = { 'flags': flags, 'segments': segments }
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ def test_get_all_data_sends_headers():
         req = server.require_request()
         assert req.headers['Authorization'] == 'sdk-key'
         assert req.headers['User-Agent'] == 'PythonClient/' + VERSION
+        assert req.headers['Accept-Encoding'] == 'gzip'
         assert req.headers.get('X-LaunchDarkly-Wrapper') is None
         assert req.headers.get('X-LaunchDarkly-Tags') is None
 
diff --git a/testing/impl/datasource/test_streaming.py b/testing/impl/datasource/test_streaming.py
index a3cfe60f..eb90173a 100644
--- a/testing/impl/datasource/test_streaming.py
+++ b/testing/impl/datasource/test_streaming.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ def test_request_properties():
                 assert req.method == 'GET'
                 assert req.headers.get('Authorization') == 'sdk-key'
                 assert req.headers.get('User-Agent') == 'PythonClient/' + VERSION
+                assert req.headers['Accept-Encoding'] == 'gzip'
                 assert req.headers.get('X-LaunchDarkly-Wrapper') is None
                 assert req.headers.get('X-LaunchDarkly-Tags') is None
 
diff --git a/testing/impl/events/test_event_processor.py b/testing/impl/events/test_event_processor.py
index b2bf91de..51d8b0e4 100644
--- a/testing/impl/events/test_event_processor.py
+++ b/testing/impl/events/test_event_processor.py
@@ -479,6 +479,14 @@ def test_sdk_key_is_sent():
 
         assert mock_http.request_headers.get('Authorization') == 'SDK_KEY'
 
+def test_default_headers_are_send():
+    with DefaultTestProcessor() as ep:
+        ep.send_event(EventInputIdentify(timestamp, context))
+        ep.flush()
+        ep._wait_until_inactive()
+
+        assert mock_http.request_headers.get('Accept-Encoding') == 'gzip'
+
 def test_wrapper_header_not_sent_when_not_set():
     with DefaultTestProcessor() as ep:
         ep.send_event(EventInputIdentify(timestamp, context))