diff --git a/zerver/lib/export.py b/zerver/lib/export.py
index 764ee5a897..6f908a1256 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/export.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/export.py
@@ -1833,6 +1833,7 @@ def do_export_realm(
     exportable_user_ids: Optional[Set[int]] = None,
     public_only: bool = False,
     consent_message_id: Optional[int] = None,
+    export_as_active: Optional[bool] = None,
 ) -> str:
     response: TableData = {}
 
@@ -1877,6 +1878,10 @@ def do_export_realm(
     fetch_reaction_data(response=zerver_reaction, message_ids=message_ids)
     response.update(zerver_reaction)
 
+    # Override the "deactivated" flag on the realm
+    if export_as_active is not None:
+        response["zerver_realm"][0]["deactivated"] = not export_as_active
+
     # Write realm data
     export_file = os.path.join(output_dir, "realm.json")
     write_table_data(output_file=export_file, data=response)
@@ -2267,6 +2272,7 @@ def export_realm_wrapper(
     public_only: bool,
     percent_callback: Optional[Callable[[Any], None]] = None,
     consent_message_id: Optional[int] = None,
+    export_as_active: Optional[bool] = None,
 ) -> Optional[str]:
     tarball_path = do_export_realm(
         realm=realm,
@@ -2274,6 +2280,7 @@ def export_realm_wrapper(
         threads=threads,
         public_only=public_only,
         consent_message_id=consent_message_id,
+        export_as_active=export_as_active,
     )
     shutil.rmtree(output_dir)
     print(f"Tarball written to {tarball_path}")
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/export.py b/zerver/management/commands/export.py
index 4811a7a72b..b508b7ac97 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/export.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/export.py
@@ -60,9 +60,6 @@ class Command(ZulipBaseCommand):
 
     * Use `./manage.py import` to import the realm
 
-    * Use `./manage.py reactivate_realm` to reactivate the realm, so
-      users can log in again.
-
     * Inform the users about the things broken above.
 
     We recommend testing by exporting without `--deactivate` first, to
@@ -92,7 +89,10 @@ class Command(ZulipBaseCommand):
         parser.add_argument(
             "--deactivate-realm",
             action="store_true",
-            help="Deactivate the realm immediately before exporting",
+            help=(
+                "Deactivate the realm immediately before exporting; the exported data "
+                "will show the realm as active"
+            ),
         )
         parser.add_argument(
             "--consent-message-id",
@@ -212,4 +212,5 @@ class Command(ZulipBaseCommand):
             public_only=public_only,
             percent_callback=percent_callback,
             consent_message_id=consent_message_id,
+            export_as_active=True if options["deactivate_realm"] else None,
         )
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_management_commands.py b/zerver/tests/test_management_commands.py
index 73c6c18827..c759cc3b3a 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_management_commands.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_management_commands.py
@@ -541,6 +541,7 @@ class TestExport(ZulipTestCase):
                 output_dir=mock.ANY,
                 percent_callback=mock.ANY,
                 upload=False,
+                export_as_active=None,
             )
             mock_input.assert_called_once_with("Continue? [y/N] ")