diff --git a/wp-includes/l10n.php b/wp-includes/l10n.php
index 7bc1c6abdf..aaa7611f22 100644
--- a/wp-includes/l10n.php
+++ b/wp-includes/l10n.php
@@ -1144,5 +1144,8 @@ function wp_dropdown_languages( $args = array() ) {
  */
 function is_rtl() {
 	global $wp_locale;
+	if ( ! ( $wp_locale instanceof WP_Locale ) ) {
+		return false;
+	}
 	return $wp_locale->is_rtl();
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wp-includes/version.php b/wp-includes/version.php
index 2a6744b6a6..37f29ced99 100644
--- a/wp-includes/version.php
+++ b/wp-includes/version.php
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  *
  * @global string $wp_version
  */
-$wp_version = '4.7-alpha-38437';
+$wp_version = '4.7-alpha-38438';
 
 /**
  * Holds the WordPress DB revision, increments when changes are made to the WordPress DB schema.