diff --git a/addons/mail/models/mail_tracking_value.py b/addons/mail/models/mail_tracking_value.py
index 707f3f6bd75..570757a6534 100644
--- a/addons/mail/models/mail_tracking_value.py
+++ b/addons/mail/models/mail_tracking_value.py
@@ -40,7 +40,9 @@ class MailTracking(models.Model):
     def _compute_groups(self):
         for tracking in self:
             model = self.env[tracking.mail_message_id.model]
-            tracking.groups = model._fields[tracking.field].groups
+            field = model._fields.get(tracking.field)
+            # field may not exist anymore if module has been uninstalled
+            tracking.groups = field.groups if field else 'base.group_system'
 
     @api.model
     def create_tracking_values(self, initial_value, new_value, col_name, col_info, tracking_sequence):
diff --git a/addons/test_mail/tests/test_message_track.py b/addons/test_mail/tests/test_message_track.py
index 5906e7c0543..7055fe69bc9 100644
--- a/addons/test_mail/tests/test_message_track.py
+++ b/addons/test_mail/tests/test_message_track.py
@@ -149,3 +149,9 @@ class TestTracking(common.BaseFunctionalTest, common.MockEmails):
         msg_admin = self.partner_admin.sudo(self.user_admin)._notify_prepare_template_context(self.record.message_ids, self.record)
         self.assertFalse(msg_emp.get('tracking_values'), "should not have protected tracking values")
         self.assertTrue(msg_admin.get('tracking_values'), "should have protected tracking values")
+
+    def test_unknown_field(self):
+        self.record.sudo().write({'email_from': 'X'})  # create a tracking value
+        tracking = self.record.sudo().mapped('message_ids.tracking_value_ids')[0]
+        tracking.field = 'I do not exist'
+        self.assertEqual(tracking.groups, 'base.group_system')