diff --git a/src/pretix/base/i18n.py b/src/pretix/base/i18n.py
index b9c117bed..d5901ccb2 100644
--- a/src/pretix/base/i18n.py
+++ b/src/pretix/base/i18n.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class LazyI18nString:
         the string in the system's default language. If this is unavailable as well, it
         will give you the string in the first language available.
         """
-        return self.localize(translation.get_language())
+        return self.localize(translation.get_language() or settings.LANGUAGE_CODE)
 
     def __bool__(self):
         if not self.data: