diff --git a/r2/r2/controllers/reddit_base.py b/r2/r2/controllers/reddit_base.py
index 7a6ddc447..be0de1183 100644
--- a/r2/r2/controllers/reddit_base.py
+++ b/r2/r2/controllers/reddit_base.py
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ def set_iface_lang():
     #one
     for l in lang:
         try:
-            h.set_lang(l)
+            h.set_lang(l, fallback_lang=g.lang)
             c.lang = l
             break
         except h.LanguageError:
diff --git a/r2/r2/lib/translation.py b/r2/r2/lib/translation.py
index 9c3e9546e..73ae69a48 100644
--- a/r2/r2/lib/translation.py
+++ b/r2/r2/lib/translation.py
@@ -52,13 +52,17 @@ def _get_translator(lang, graceful_fail=False, **kwargs):
     return translator
 
 
-def set_lang(lang, graceful_fail = False, **kwargs):
+def set_lang(lang, graceful_fail=False, fallback_lang=None, **kwargs):
     """Set the i18n language used"""
     registry = pylons.request.environ['paste.registry']
     if not lang:
         registry.replace(pylons.translator, NullTranslations())
     else:
         translator = _get_translator(lang, graceful_fail = graceful_fail, **kwargs)
+        if fallback_lang:
+            fallback_translator = _get_translator(fallback_lang,
+                                                  graceful_fail=True)
+            translator.add_fallback(fallback_translator)
         registry.replace(pylons.translator, translator)