diff --git a/awx/settings/defaults.py b/awx/settings/defaults.py
index 9471899b37..aaab3a3571 100644
--- a/awx/settings/defaults.py
+++ b/awx/settings/defaults.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2015 Ansible, Inc.
 # All Rights Reserved.
 
+import base64
 import os
 import re  # noqa
 import sys
@@ -148,7 +149,10 @@ SCHEDULE_MAX_JOBS = 10
 SITE_ID = 1
 
 # Make this unique, and don't share it with anybody.
-SECRET_KEY = open('/etc/tower/SECRET_KEY', 'rb').read().strip()
+if os.path.exists('/etc/tower/SECRET_KEY'):
+    SECRET_KEY = open('/etc/tower/SECRET_KEY', 'rb').read().strip()
+else:
+    SECRET_KEY = base64.encodebytes(os.urandom(32)).decode().rstrip()
 
 # Hosts/domain names that are valid for this site; required if DEBUG is False
 # See https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/ref/settings/#allowed-hosts