diff --git a/erpnext/accounts/doctype/bank_account/bank_account.py b/erpnext/accounts/doctype/bank_account/bank_account.py
index 06393e7a54e..aa18b966707 100644
--- a/erpnext/accounts/doctype/bank_account/bank_account.py
+++ b/erpnext/accounts/doctype/bank_account/bank_account.py
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ class BankAccount(Document):
 
 	def validate(self):
 		self.validate_company()
-		self.validate_iban()
+		if self.validate_iban:
+			self.validate_iban()
 
 	def validate_company(self):
 		if self.is_company_account and not self.company:
diff --git a/erpnext/accounts/doctype/bank_account/test_bank_account.py b/erpnext/accounts/doctype/bank_account/test_bank_account.py
index bd148df33ba..f3bb086fa96 100644
--- a/erpnext/accounts/doctype/bank_account/test_bank_account.py
+++ b/erpnext/accounts/doctype/bank_account/test_bank_account.py
@@ -28,6 +28,12 @@ class TestBankAccount(unittest.TestCase):
 
 		bank_account = frappe.get_doc({'doctype':'Bank Account'})
 
+		try:
+			bank_account.validate_iban()
+		except AttributeError:
+			msg = _('BankAccount.validate_iban() failed for empty IBAN')
+			self.fail(msg=msg)
+
 		for iban in valid_ibans:
 			bank_account.iban = iban
 			try: