diff --git a/addons/account/models/chart_template.py b/addons/account/models/chart_template.py
index 099f474f0d4..b103d4afb0b 100644
--- a/addons/account/models/chart_template.py
+++ b/addons/account/models/chart_template.py
@@ -226,6 +226,7 @@ class AccountChartTemplate(models.AbstractModel):
             if self.ref(xmlid, raise_if_not_found=False):
                 del data['account.journal'][xmlid]
             else:
+                journal = None
                 if 'code' in journal_data:
                     journal = self.env['account.journal'].with_context(active_test=False).search([
                         *self.env['account.journal']._check_company_domain(company),