diff --git a/config/initializers/locale.rb b/config/initializers/locale.rb
index 07922e78..385a3696 100644
--- a/config/initializers/locale.rb
+++ b/config/initializers/locale.rb
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
 require 'i18n/backend/active_record'
 
-I18n.backend = I18n::Backend::Chain.new(I18n.backend, I18n::Backend::ActiveRecord.new)
+Translation = I18n::Backend::ActiveRecord::Translation
+
+if Translation.table_exists?
+  I18n.backend = I18n::Backend::Chain.new(I18n.backend, I18n::Backend::ActiveRecord.new)
+end