A temporary protective cover for an electrical outlet box is disclosed which is attached to the outlet box after wiring is installed but before wallboard is hung over the box. The protective cover has a protruding pin mounted in a keyhole shaped hole through the cover and when wallboard is mounted over the outlet box the protruding pin indicates the location of the box so a tool can be used to cut away wallboard covering the box while preventing wires inside the box from being cut. The protruding pin is then slid along the keyhole slot to its large end and is pushed inside the outlet box. The absence of the protruding pin makes it easier to apply spackle, paint and other materials to the wallboard and to sand it. The cover provides protection against spackle, paint, dust and other debris from entering the outlet box until the cover is removed by an electrician who then install outlets and switches.