diff --git a/map/ruler.cpp b/map/ruler.cpp
index 74aa46cb0d..e56172a07d 100644
--- a/map/ruler.cpp
+++ b/map/ruler.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,10 @@ Ruler::Ruler(Params const & p)
   : base_t(p), m_boundRects(1)
 {
   Settings::Units units;
-  Settings::Get("Units", units);
+  units = Settings::Metric;
+
+  VERIFY(Settings::Get("Units", units), ());
+
   switch (units)
   {
     case Settings::Foot:
diff --git a/qt/main.cpp b/qt/main.cpp
index cac41f46be..a0726c25d4 100644
--- a/qt/main.cpp
+++ b/qt/main.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include "../std/cstdio.hpp"
 
 #include <QtGui/QApplication>
+#include <QtCore/QLocale>
 
 //#ifdef OMIM_OS_WINDOWS
 //  #include <../src/gui/image/qimageiohandler.h>
@@ -85,6 +86,21 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
   (void)GetPlatform();
 
+  // checking default measurement system.
+
+  Settings::Units u;
+
+  if (!Settings::Get("Units", u))
+  {
+    // set default measurement from system locale
+    if (QLocale::system().measurementSystem() == QLocale::MetricSystem)
+      u = Settings::Metric;
+    else
+      u = Settings::Foot;
+  }
+
+  Settings::Set("Units", u);
+
   // display EULA if needed
   bool eulaAccepted = false;
   if (!Settings::Get(SETTING_EULA_ACCEPTED, eulaAccepted) || !eulaAccepted)