diff --git a/packages/edit-post/src/store/effects.js b/packages/edit-post/src/store/effects.js
index 6c64a17313097..54bfe07fbd67b 100644
--- a/packages/edit-post/src/store/effects.js
+++ b/packages/edit-post/src/store/effects.js
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ const effects = {
 			post.comment_status ? [ 'comment_status', post.comment_status ] : false,
 			post.ping_status ? [ 'ping_status', post.ping_status ] : false,
 			post.sticky ? [ 'sticky', post.sticky ] : false,
-			[ 'post_author', post.author ],
+			post.author ? [ 'post_author', post.author ] : false,
 		].filter( Boolean );
 
 		// We gather all the metaboxes locations data and the base form data