diff --git a/addons/hr_holidays/models/hr_holidays.py b/addons/hr_holidays/models/hr_holidays.py
index d967051f12d..fc72a6a9caf 100644
--- a/addons/hr_holidays/models/hr_holidays.py
+++ b/addons/hr_holidays/models/hr_holidays.py
@@ -270,10 +270,12 @@ class Holidays(models.Model):
     @api.onchange('holiday_type')
     def _onchange_type(self):
         if self.holiday_type == 'employee' and not self.employee_id:
-            self.employee_id = self.env.user.employee_ids[0]
+            if self.env.user.employee_ids:
+                self.employee_id = self.env.user.employee_ids[0]
         elif self.holiday_type == 'department':
+            if self.env.user.employee_ids:
+                self.department_id = self.department_id or self.env.user.employee_ids[0].department_id
             self.employee_id = None
-            self.department_id = self.department_id or self.env.user.employee_ids[0].department_id
         elif self.holiday_type == 'category':
             self.employee_id = None
             self.department_id = None