diff --git a/.app_version b/.app_version
index 894542aa..3f45a644 100644
--- a/.app_version
+++ b/.app_version
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.26.2
+0.26.3
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 5627ae2e..3acff7c2 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](http://keepachangelog.com/)
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/).
 
+# 0.26.3 - 2025-05-18
+
+## Fixed
+
+- Fixed a bug where default distance unit was not being set for users. #1206
+
 
 # 0.26.2 - 2025-05-18
 
diff --git a/db/data/20250518174305_set_default_distance_unit_for_user.rb b/db/data/20250518174305_set_default_distance_unit_for_user.rb
index a7dadb6d..43e798ac 100644
--- a/db/data/20250518174305_set_default_distance_unit_for_user.rb
+++ b/db/data/20250518174305_set_default_distance_unit_for_user.rb
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ class SetDefaultDistanceUnitForUser < ActiveRecord::Migration[8.0]
     User.find_each do |user|
       map_settings = user.settings['maps']
 
-      next if map_settings['distance_unit'].in?(%w[km mi])
+      next if map_settings.try(:[], 'distance_unit')&.in?(%w[km mi])
 
       if map_settings.blank?
         map_settings = { distance_unit: 'km' }