diff --git a/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py b/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py
index ba2c6c91b3..4d571b78fa 100644
--- a/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py
+++ b/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ class SQLCompiler(object):
         self.query = query
         self.connection = connection
         self.using = using
-        self.quote_cache = {}
+        self.quote_cache = {'*': '*'}
         # When ordering a queryset with distinct on a column not part of the
         # select set, the ordering column needs to be added to the select
         # clause. This information is needed both in SQL construction and