diff --git a/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py b/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py
index 1b6654b670..977eb1afa2 100644
--- a/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py
+++ b/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py
@@ -620,7 +620,7 @@ class SQLCompiler(object):
 
             alias = self.query.join((alias, table, f.column,
                     f.rel.get_related_field().column),
-                    promote=promote, join_field=f)
+                    outer_if_first=promote, join_field=f)
             columns, aliases = self.get_default_columns(start_alias=alias,
                     opts=f.rel.to._meta, as_pairs=True)
             self.query.related_select_cols.extend(
@@ -648,7 +648,7 @@ class SQLCompiler(object):
                 table = model._meta.db_table
                 alias = self.query.join(
                     (alias, table, f.rel.get_related_field().column, f.column),
-                    promote=True, join_field=f
+                    outer_if_first=True, join_field=f
                 )
                 from_parent = (opts.model if issubclass(model, opts.model)
                                else None)
diff --git a/django/db/models/sql/query.py b/django/db/models/sql/query.py
index a0e3225c18..06fbf358b1 100644
--- a/django/db/models/sql/query.py
+++ b/django/db/models/sql/query.py
@@ -507,9 +507,11 @@ class Query(object):
             # updated alias.
             lhs = change_map.get(lhs, lhs)
             new_alias = self.join(
-                (lhs, table, lhs_col, col), reuse=reuse, promote=promote,
+                (lhs, table, lhs_col, col), reuse=reuse,
                 outer_if_first=not conjunction, nullable=nullable,
                 join_field=join_field)
+            if promote:
+                self.promote_joins([new_alias])
             # We can't reuse the same join again in the query. If we have two
             # distinct joins for the same connection in rhs query, then the
             # combined query must have two joins, too.
@@ -914,8 +916,8 @@ class Query(object):
         """
         return len([1 for count in self.alias_refcount.values() if count])
 
-    def join(self, connection, reuse=None, promote=False,
-             outer_if_first=False, nullable=False, join_field=None):
+    def join(self, connection, reuse=None, outer_if_first=False,
+             nullable=False, join_field=None):
         """
         Returns an alias for the join in 'connection', either reusing an
         existing alias for that join or creating a new one. 'connection' is a
@@ -929,14 +931,8 @@ class Query(object):
         (matching the connection) are reusable, or it can be a set containing
         the aliases that can be reused.
 
-        If 'promote' is True, the join type for the alias will be LOUTER (if
-        the alias previously existed, the join type will be promoted from INNER
-        to LOUTER, if necessary).
-
         If 'outer_if_first' is True and a new join is created, it will have the
-        LOUTER join type. Used for example when adding ORed filters, where we
-        want to use LOUTER joins except if some other join already restricts
-        the join to INNER join.
+        LOUTER join type.
 
         A join is always created as LOUTER if the lhs alias is LOUTER to make
         sure we do not generate chains like t1 LOUTER t2 INNER t3.
@@ -961,8 +957,6 @@ class Query(object):
                 # join_field used for the under work join.
                 continue
             self.ref_alias(alias)
-            if promote or (lhs and self.alias_map[lhs].join_type == self.LOUTER):
-                self.promote_joins([alias])
             return alias
 
         # No reuse is possible, so we need a new alias.
@@ -971,10 +965,9 @@ class Query(object):
             # Not all tables need to be joined to anything. No join type
             # means the later columns are ignored.
             join_type = None
-        elif (promote or outer_if_first
-              or self.alias_map[lhs].join_type == self.LOUTER):
-            # We need to use LOUTER join if asked by promote or outer_if_first,
-            # or if the LHS table is left-joined in the query.
+        elif outer_if_first or self.alias_map[lhs].join_type == self.LOUTER:
+            # We need to use LOUTER join if asked by outer_if_first or if the
+            # LHS table is left-joined in the query.
             join_type = self.LOUTER
         else:
             join_type = self.INNER
diff --git a/tests/regressiontests/select_related_regress/tests.py b/tests/regressiontests/select_related_regress/tests.py
index 7f93a1c33c..0e27d07c4d 100644
--- a/tests/regressiontests/select_related_regress/tests.py
+++ b/tests/regressiontests/select_related_regress/tests.py
@@ -139,3 +139,26 @@ class SelectRelatedRegressTests(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(troy.name, 'Troy Buswell')
         self.assertEqual(troy.value, 42)
         self.assertEqual(troy.state.name, 'Western Australia')
+
+    def test_null_join_promotion(self):
+        australia = Country.objects.create(name='Australia')
+        active = ClientStatus.objects.create(name='active')
+
+        wa = State.objects.create(name="Western Australia", country=australia)
+        bob = Client.objects.create(name='Bob', status=active)
+        jack = Client.objects.create(name='Jack', status=active, state=wa)
+        qs = Client.objects.filter(state=wa).select_related('state')
+        with self.assertNumQueries(1):
+            self.assertEqual(list(qs), [jack])
+            self.assertEqual(qs[0].state, wa)
+            # The select_related join wasn't promoted as there was already an
+            # existing (even if trimmed) inner join to state.
+            self.assertFalse('LEFT OUTER' in str(qs.query))
+        qs = Client.objects.select_related('state').order_by('name')
+        with self.assertNumQueries(1):
+            self.assertEqual(list(qs), [bob, jack])
+            self.assertIs(qs[0].state, None)
+            self.assertEqual(qs[1].state, wa)
+            # The select_related join was promoted as there is already an
+            # existing join.
+            self.assertTrue('LEFT OUTER' in str(qs.query))