diff --git a/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/apps.py b/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/apps.py
index 34f74850a3..9038123f69 100644
--- a/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/apps.py
+++ b/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/apps.py
@@ -321,6 +321,18 @@ class InvenTreeConfig(AppConfig):
             return
 
         if not InvenTree.tasks.check_for_migrations():
-            logger.error('INVE-W8: Database Migrations required')
-            sys.exit(1)
+            # Detect if this an empty database - if so, start with a fresh migration
+            if (
+                settings.DOCKER
+                and not InvenTree.ready.isInTestMode()
+                and not InvenTree.ready.isRunningMigrations()
+                and InvenTree.tasks.get_migration_count() == 0
+            ):
+                logger.warning(
+                    'INVE-W8: Empty database detected - trying to run migrations'
+                )
+                InvenTree.tasks.check_for_migrations(force_run=True)
+            else:
+                logger.error('INVE-W8: Database Migrations required')
+                sys.exit(1)
         MIGRATIONS_CHECK_DONE = True
diff --git a/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/tasks.py b/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/tasks.py
index 123ee4f966..5c83d24112 100644
--- a/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/tasks.py
+++ b/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/tasks.py
@@ -661,6 +661,12 @@ def get_migration_plan():
     return plan
 
 
+def get_migration_count():
+    """Returns the number of all detected migrations."""
+    executor = MigrationExecutor(connections[DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS])
+    return executor.loader.applied_migrations
+
+
 @tracer.start_as_current_span('check_for_migrations')
 @scheduled_task(ScheduledTask.DAILY)
 def check_for_migrations(force: bool = False, reload_registry: bool = True) -> bool: