diff --git a/erpnext/hr/doctype/employee/employee.py b/erpnext/hr/doctype/employee/employee.py
index 81671c21dc2..5d5bdd99cef 100755
--- a/erpnext/hr/doctype/employee/employee.py
+++ b/erpnext/hr/doctype/employee/employee.py
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ class Employee(NestedSet):
 	def validate_user_details(self):
 		data = frappe.db.get_value('User',
 			self.user_id, ['enabled', 'user_image'], as_dict=1)
-
-		self.image = data.get("user_image")
+		if data.get("user_image"):
+			self.image = data.get("user_image")
 		self.validate_for_enabled_user_id(data.get("enabled", 0))
 		self.validate_duplicate_user_id()
 
@@ -336,4 +336,4 @@ def get_children(doctype, parent=None, company=None, is_root=False, is_tree=Fals
 		.format(company=company, condition=condition),  as_dict=1)
 
 	# return employee
-	return employee
\ No newline at end of file
+	return employee