diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/Ajax/TimezoneController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/Ajax/TimezoneController.php
index 28ab9aea7f48..256a83a557f4 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/Ajax/TimezoneController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/Ajax/TimezoneController.php
@@ -46,6 +46,6 @@ public function set(Request $request): string
             return $request->timezone;
         }
 
-        return session('preferences.timezone');
+        return session('preferences.timezone', '');
     }
 }