diff --git a/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index 5185cbac91..510be71848 100644
--- a/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ repos:
     -   id: check-yaml
     -   id: mixed-line-ending
 -   repo: https://github.com/astral-sh/ruff-pre-commit
-    rev: v0.7.3
+    rev: v0.7.4
     hooks:
     - id: ruff-format
       args: [--preview]
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ repos:
         --preview
       ]
 -   repo: https://github.com/astral-sh/uv-pre-commit
-    rev: 0.5.1
+    rev: 0.5.3
     hooks:
       - id: pip-compile
         name: pip-compile requirements-dev.in
diff --git a/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/models.py b/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/models.py
index 8b465222b2..ab289e067d 100644
--- a/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/models.py
+++ b/src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/models.py
@@ -289,6 +289,7 @@ class ReferenceIndexingMixin(models.Model):
 
     # Name of the global setting which defines the required reference pattern for this model
     REFERENCE_PATTERN_SETTING = None
+    REFERENCE_PATTERN_WILDCARD_DEFAULT_SETTING = None
 
     class Meta:
         """Metaclass options. Abstract ensures no database table is created."""
@@ -309,6 +310,28 @@ class ReferenceIndexingMixin(models.Model):
             cls.REFERENCE_PATTERN_SETTING, create=False
         ).strip()
 
+    @classmethod
+    def get_reference_pattern_wildcard_default(cls):
+        """Returns the reference pattern associated with this model.
+
+        This is defined by a global setting object, specified by the REFERENCE_PATTERN_WILDCARD_DEFAULT_SETTING attribute
+        """
+        # By default, we return None to indicate no default exists
+        if cls.REFERENCE_PATTERN_WILDCARD_DEFAULT_SETTING is None:
+            return None
+
+        # import at function level to prevent cyclic imports
+        from common.models import InvenTreeSetting
+
+        setting = InvenTreeSetting.get_setting(
+            cls.REFERENCE_PATTERN_WILDCARD_DEFAULT_SETTING, create=False
+        ).strip()
+
+        if setting == '':
+            return None
+        else:
+            return setting
+
     @classmethod
     def get_reference_context(cls):
         """Generate context data for generating the 'reference' field for this class.
@@ -365,6 +388,7 @@ class ReferenceIndexingMixin(models.Model):
         """Generate the next 'reference' field based on specified pattern."""
         fmt = cls.get_reference_pattern()
         ctx = cls.get_reference_context()
+        wildcard_default = cls.get_reference_pattern_wildcard_default()
 
         reference = None
 
@@ -394,6 +418,9 @@ class ReferenceIndexingMixin(models.Model):
                 recent = cls.get_most_recent_item()
                 reference = recent.reference if recent else ''
 
+        if wildcard_default is not None:
+            reference = reference.replace('?', wildcard_default)
+
         return reference
 
     @classmethod
diff --git a/src/backend/InvenTree/common/models.py b/src/backend/InvenTree/common/models.py
index fb57bfa67d..7ee33fde46 100644
--- a/src/backend/InvenTree/common/models.py
+++ b/src/backend/InvenTree/common/models.py
@@ -1981,6 +1981,15 @@ class InvenTreeSetting(BaseInvenTreeSetting):
             'default': 'PO-{ref:04d}',
             'validator': order.validators.validate_purchase_order_reference_pattern,
         },
+        'PURCHASEORDER_REFERENCE_PATTERN_WILDCARD_DEFAULT': {
+            'name': _('Purchase Order Reference Pattern Wildcard Default'),
+            'description': _(
+                'Replace all wildcard ? characters in reference pattern with a default value'
+            ),
+            'default': None,
+            # TODO: add validator
+            'validator': lambda x: x,
+        },
         'PURCHASEORDER_REQUIRE_RESPONSIBLE': {
             'name': _('Require Responsible Owner'),
             'description': _('A responsible owner must be assigned to each order'),
diff --git a/src/backend/InvenTree/order/models.py b/src/backend/InvenTree/order/models.py
index 8578974711..e27613588f 100644
--- a/src/backend/InvenTree/order/models.py
+++ b/src/backend/InvenTree/order/models.py
@@ -378,6 +378,9 @@ class PurchaseOrder(TotalPriceMixin, Order):
     """
 
     REFERENCE_PATTERN_SETTING = 'PURCHASEORDER_REFERENCE_PATTERN'
+    REFERENCE_PATTERN_WILDCARD_DEFAULT_SETTING = (
+        'PURCHASEORDER_REFERENCE_PATTERN_WILDCARD_DEFAULT'
+    )
     REQUIRE_RESPONSIBLE_SETTING = 'PURCHASEORDER_REQUIRE_RESPONSIBLE'
 
     class Meta:
diff --git a/src/backend/InvenTree/templates/InvenTree/settings/po.html b/src/backend/InvenTree/templates/InvenTree/settings/po.html
index 6759d14bf9..ea12dcd3bf 100644
--- a/src/backend/InvenTree/templates/InvenTree/settings/po.html
+++ b/src/backend/InvenTree/templates/InvenTree/settings/po.html
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 <table class='table table-striped table-condensed'>
     <tbody>
         {% include "InvenTree/settings/setting.html" with key="PURCHASEORDER_REFERENCE_PATTERN" %}
+        {% include "InvenTree/settings/setting.html" with key="PURCHASEORDER_REFERENCE_PATTERN_WILDCARD_DEFAULT" %}
         {% include "InvenTree/settings/setting.html" with key="PURCHASEORDER_REQUIRE_RESPONSIBLE" %}
         {% include "InvenTree/settings/setting.html" with key="PURCHASEORDER_EDIT_COMPLETED_ORDERS" icon='fa-edit' %}
         {% include "InvenTree/settings/setting.html" with key="PURCHASEORDER_AUTO_COMPLETE" icon='fa-check-circle' %}