diff --git a/app/models/column/positioned.rb b/app/models/column/positioned.rb
index 3ce92b290..333882e36 100644
--- a/app/models/column/positioned.rb
+++ b/app/models/column/positioned.rb
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ module Column::Positioned
 
   private
     def set_position
-      max_position = collection.columns.maximum(:position)
+      max_position = collection.columns.maximum(:position) || 0
       self.position = max_position + 1
     end