diff --git a/crates/bevy_gltf/src/loader.rs b/crates/bevy_gltf/src/loader.rs
index 1687569e314c9e..75e76077a58502 100644
--- a/crates/bevy_gltf/src/loader.rs
+++ b/crates/bevy_gltf/src/loader.rs
@@ -140,6 +140,11 @@ async fn load_gltf<'a, 'b>(
                 .map(|v| VertexAttributeValues::Float32x2(v.into_f32().collect()))
             {
                 mesh.set_attribute(Mesh::ATTRIBUTE_UV_0, vertex_attribute);
+            } else {
+                let len = mesh.count_vertices();
+                let uvs = vec![[0.0, 0.0]; len];
+                bevy_log::debug!("missing `TEXCOORD_0` vertex attribute, loading zeroed out UVs");
+                mesh.set_attribute(Mesh::ATTRIBUTE_UV_0, uvs);
             }
 
             if let Some(vertex_attribute) = reader