diff --git a/frappe/__init__.py b/frappe/__init__.py
index d76cbf7f31..45bf6d4a3e 100644
--- a/frappe/__init__.py
+++ b/frappe/__init__.py
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ def _(msg, lang=None):
 	"""Returns translated string in current lang, if exists."""
 	from frappe.translate import get_full_dict
 
+	if not hasattr(local, 'lang'):
+		local.lang = lang or 'en'
+
 	if not lang:
 		lang = local.lang