diff --git a/activerecord/lib/active_record/locking/optimistic.rb b/activerecord/lib/active_record/locking/optimistic.rb
index 1040327a5d..1e37ffefc6 100644
--- a/activerecord/lib/active_record/locking/optimistic.rb
+++ b/activerecord/lib/active_record/locking/optimistic.rb
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ def locking_column=(value)
 
         # The version column used for optimistic locking. Defaults to +lock_version+.
         def locking_column
-          reset_locking_column unless defined?(@locking_column)
+          @locking_column = DEFAULT_LOCKING_COLUMN unless defined?(@locking_column)
           @locking_column
         end