diff --git a/addons/hr_recruitment/models/hr_recruitment.py b/addons/hr_recruitment/models/hr_recruitment.py
index 55ef7d49c3f..a6cd84d0445 100644
--- a/addons/hr_recruitment/models/hr_recruitment.py
+++ b/addons/hr_recruitment/models/hr_recruitment.py
@@ -228,10 +228,11 @@ class Applicant(models.Model):
             department_id = job.department_id.id
             user_id = job.user_id.id
             if not self.stage_id:
-                stage_id = self.env['hr.recruitment.stage'].search([
+                stage_ids = self.env['hr.recruitment.stage'].search([
                     ('job_ids', '=', job.id),
                     ('fold', '=', False)
-                ], order='sequence asc', limit=1).ids[0]
+                ], order='sequence asc', limit=1).ids
+                stage_id = stage_ids[0] if stage_ids else False
 
         return {'value': {
             'department_id': department_id,