diff --git a/wp-includes/class-wp-term-query.php b/wp-includes/class-wp-term-query.php
index 13c0ea3f80..a7d400daa8 100644
--- a/wp-includes/class-wp-term-query.php
+++ b/wp-includes/class-wp-term-query.php
@@ -326,6 +326,9 @@ class WP_Term_Query {
 					$has_hierarchical_tax = true;
 				}
 			}
+		} else {
+			// When no taxonomies are provided, assume we have to descend the tree.
+			$has_hierarchical_tax = true;
 		}
 
 		if ( ! $has_hierarchical_tax ) {
diff --git a/wp-includes/version.php b/wp-includes/version.php
index 51d14b8ec4..58c682acda 100644
--- a/wp-includes/version.php
+++ b/wp-includes/version.php
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
  *
  * @global string $wp_version
  */
-$wp_version = '5.3-alpha-45887';
+$wp_version = '5.3-alpha-45888';
 
 /**
  * Holds the WordPress DB revision, increments when changes are made to the WordPress DB schema.