diff --git a/addons/base/static/src/js/view_tree.js b/addons/base/static/src/js/view_tree.js
index f36374f770c..05f58c077ff 100644
--- a/addons/base/static/src/js/view_tree.js
+++ b/addons/base/static/src/js/view_tree.js
@@ -94,7 +94,9 @@ openerp.base.TreeView = openerp.base.View.extend({
                     .appendTo($select);
             });
 
-            $select.change();
+            if (!_.isEmpty(records)) {
+                $select.change();
+            }
         });
     },
     /**