diff --git a/src/Umbraco.Core/Security/MembershipProviderBase.cs b/src/Umbraco.Core/Security/MembershipProviderBase.cs
index f5ba315177..d0738b24ea 100644
--- a/src/Umbraco.Core/Security/MembershipProviderBase.cs
+++ b/src/Umbraco.Core/Security/MembershipProviderBase.cs
@@ -711,6 +711,11 @@ namespace Umbraco.Core.Security
                     var decrypted = DecryptPassword(dbPassword);
                     return decrypted == password;
                 case MembershipPasswordFormat.Hashed:
+
+                    //only triggered when we set the initial installer password
+                    if (dbPassword == "default" && password == dbPassword)
+                        return true;
+
                     string salt;
                     var storedHashedPass = StoredPassword(dbPassword, out salt);
                     var hashed = EncryptOrHashPassword(password, salt);