diff --git a/models/user/avatar.go b/models/user/avatar.go
index 27af7f774d..d534bd7bea 100644
--- a/models/user/avatar.go
+++ b/models/user/avatar.go
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func GenerateRandomAvatar(ctx context.Context, u *User) error {
 
 // AvatarLinkWithSize returns a link to the user's avatar with size. size <= 0 means default size
 func (u *User) AvatarLinkWithSize(ctx context.Context, size int) string {
-	if u.IsGhost() {
+	if u.IsGhost() || u.ID <= 0 {
 		return avatars.DefaultAvatarLink()
 	}