diff --git a/erpnext/stock/doctype/item/item.py b/erpnext/stock/doctype/item/item.py
index 24e8f5a448..5cbdd4c04d 100644
--- a/erpnext/stock/doctype/item/item.py
+++ b/erpnext/stock/doctype/item/item.py
@@ -951,7 +951,7 @@ def set_item_default(item_code, company, fieldname, value):
 			return
 
 	# no row found, add a new row for the company
-	d = item.append('item_defaults', {fieldname: value, company: company})
+	d = item.append('item_defaults', {fieldname: value, "company": company})
 	d.db_insert()
 	item.clear_cache()