diff --git a/app/models/issue.rb b/app/models/issue.rb
index 007339130..abd2d210a 100644
--- a/app/models/issue.rb
+++ b/app/models/issue.rb
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ class Issue < ActiveRecord::Base
       # set default values for new records only
       self.status ||= IssueStatus.default
       self.priority ||= IssuePriority.default
+      self.watcher_user_ids = []
     end
   end