diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index d7e5774..9e33353 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ This project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.htm
 - Added moderation link in moderation message [#23142]
 - Added query parameter in item listing to get the whole item instead of just the name [#23691]
 - Using renamed constant from gcat-api
+- Explict request for approved items return only moderated and approved [#23696]
 
 
 ## [v2.3.0]
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/gcube/gcat/persistence/ckan/CKANPackage.java b/src/main/java/org/gcube/gcat/persistence/ckan/CKANPackage.java
index bff696b..8361e5e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/gcube/gcat/persistence/ckan/CKANPackage.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/gcube/gcat/persistence/ckan/CKANPackage.java
@@ -1103,7 +1103,9 @@ public class CKANPackage extends CKAN implements Moderated {
 				}
 			}
 			
+			boolean cmItemStatusWasNull = false; 
 			if(cmItemStatus==null) {
+				cmItemStatusWasNull = true;
 				cmItemStatus = CMItemStatus.APPROVED;
 			}
 			
@@ -1113,11 +1115,12 @@ public class CKANPackage extends CKAN implements Moderated {
 			stringBuffer.append(":");
 			stringBuffer.append(cmItemStatus.getValue());
 			
-			if(cmItemStatus == CMItemStatus.APPROVED) {
+			if(cmItemStatusWasNull) {
 				stringBuffer.append(" OR (*:* -");
 				stringBuffer.append(CM_STATUS_QUERY_FILTER_KEY);
 				stringBuffer.append(":[* TO *])");
 			}
+			
 			stringBuffer.append(")");
 			q = String.format("%s AND %s", q, stringBuffer.toString());
 			parameters.put(GCatConstants.Q_KEY,	q);