diff --git a/wp-includes/update.php b/wp-includes/update.php
index a02a579850..9931cf425a 100644
--- a/wp-includes/update.php
+++ b/wp-includes/update.php
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ function wp_version_check() {
 	if ( ! is_object($current) )
 		$current = new stdClass;
 
-	$locale = get_locale();
+	$locale = apply_filters( 'core_version_check_locale', get_locale() );
 
 	// Update last_checked for current to prevent multiple blocking requests if request hangs
 	$current->last_checked = time();