diff --git a/CHANGES.rst b/CHANGES.rst
index 70c106956..bd8b30ad4 100644
--- a/CHANGES.rst
+++ b/CHANGES.rst
@@ -24,6 +24,13 @@ documentation
 
 - added user documentation for ``roman_static_preview`` script [#1046]
 
+
+ramp_fitting
+------------
+
+- Add default WCS when constructing image model from ramp model [#1072]
+
+
 general
 -------
 
diff --git a/romancal/ramp_fitting/ramp_fit_step.py b/romancal/ramp_fitting/ramp_fit_step.py
index a6f42986f..3d75dab4c 100644
--- a/romancal/ramp_fitting/ramp_fit_step.py
+++ b/romancal/ramp_fitting/ramp_fit_step.py
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ def create_image_model(input_model, image_info):
 
     # Create output datamodel
     # ... and add all keys from input
-    meta = {}
+    meta = dict(wcs=None)  # default empty WCS
     meta.update(input_model.meta)
     meta["cal_step"]["ramp_fit"] = "INCOMPLETE"
     meta["photometry"] = maker_utils.mk_photometry()