diff --git a/modules/setting/setting.go b/modules/setting/setting.go
index 848cdff64..1a9262c42 100644
--- a/modules/setting/setting.go
+++ b/modules/setting/setting.go
@@ -1038,7 +1038,7 @@ func NewContext() {
 		GravatarSource = source
 	}
 	DisableGravatar = sec.Key("DISABLE_GRAVATAR").MustBool()
-	EnableFederatedAvatar = sec.Key("ENABLE_FEDERATED_AVATAR").MustBool()
+	EnableFederatedAvatar = sec.Key("ENABLE_FEDERATED_AVATAR").MustBool(!InstallLock)
 	if OfflineMode {
 		DisableGravatar = true
 		EnableFederatedAvatar = false