diff --git a/erpnext/non_profit/doctype/membership/membership.py b/erpnext/non_profit/doctype/membership/membership.py
index a6be1641a5..db679050b1 100644
--- a/erpnext/non_profit/doctype/membership/membership.py
+++ b/erpnext/non_profit/doctype/membership/membership.py
@@ -12,6 +12,20 @@ import erpnext
 
 class Membership(Document):
 	def validate(self):
+		member_name = frappe.get_value('Member', dict(email=frappe.session.user))
+
+		if not member_name:
+			user = frappe.get_doc('User', frappe.session.user)
+			member = frappe.get_doc(dict(
+				doctype='Member',
+				email=frappe.session.user,
+				membership_type=self.membership_type,
+				member_name=user.get_fullname()
+			)).insert(ignore_permissions=True)
+			member_name = member.name
+
+		if self.get("__islocal"):
+			self.member = member_name
 
 		# get last membership (if active)
 		last_membership = erpnext.get_last_membership()