diff --git a/frappe/core/doctype/system_settings/system_settings.py b/frappe/core/doctype/system_settings/system_settings.py
index 1886f23391..07523e6e73 100644
--- a/frappe/core/doctype/system_settings/system_settings.py
+++ b/frappe/core/doctype/system_settings/system_settings.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # License: MIT. See LICENSE
 
 import frappe
+import frappe.defaults
 from frappe import _
 from frappe.model import no_value_fields
 from frappe.model.document import Document
@@ -240,3 +241,8 @@ def clear_system_settings_cache():
 	frappe.client_cache.delete_value(cache_key)
 	frappe.cache.delete_value("system_settings")
 	frappe.cache.delete_value("time_zone")
+
+
+def sync_system_settings():
+	if frappe.db.get_single_value("System Settings", "currency") is None:
+		frappe.db.set_single_value("System Settings", "currency", frappe.defaults.get_defaults()["currency"])
diff --git a/frappe/patches.txt b/frappe/patches.txt
index afb83ffeea..3f8e8367ae 100644
--- a/frappe/patches.txt
+++ b/frappe/patches.txt
@@ -244,3 +244,4 @@ frappe.desk.doctype.workspace.patches.update_app
 frappe.patches.v16_0.move_role_desk_settings_to_user
 frappe.printing.doctype.print_format.patches.sets_wkhtmltopdf_as_default_for_pdf_generator_field
 frappe.patches.v14_0.fix_user_settings_collation
+execute:frappe.core.doctype.system_settings.system_settings.sync_system_settings