diff --git a/models/system/setting.go b/models/system/setting.go
index 8e16547d929..3eb8b3955d1 100644
--- a/models/system/setting.go
+++ b/models/system/setting.go
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ func Init() error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	if enableFederatedAvatarSetting.GetValueBool() {
+	if GravatarSourceURL != nil && enableFederatedAvatarSetting.GetValueBool() {
 		LibravatarService = libravatar.New()
 		if GravatarSourceURL.Scheme == "https" {
 			LibravatarService.SetUseHTTPS(true)