diff --git a/addons/hr_recruitment/models/hr_recruitment.py b/addons/hr_recruitment/models/hr_recruitment.py
index 60faef49674..55ef7d49c3f 100644
--- a/addons/hr_recruitment/models/hr_recruitment.py
+++ b/addons/hr_recruitment/models/hr_recruitment.py
@@ -86,10 +86,12 @@ class Applicant(models.Model):
 
     def _default_stage_id(self):
         if self._context.get('default_job_id'):
-            return self.env['hr.recruitment.stage'].search([
+            ids = self.env['hr.recruitment.stage'].search([
                 ('job_ids', '=', self._context['default_job_id']),
                 ('fold', '=', False)
-            ], order='sequence asc', limit=1).ids[0]
+            ], order='sequence asc', limit=1).ids
+            if ids:
+                return ids[0]
         return False
 
     def _default_company_id(self):