diff --git a/app/core/gimpimage-private.h b/app/core/gimpimage-private.h
index a2ae25691c..0c77b9a281 100644
--- a/app/core/gimpimage-private.h
+++ b/app/core/gimpimage-private.h
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ struct _GimpImagePrivate
   gdouble            xresolution;           /*  image x-res, in dpi          */
   gdouble            yresolution;           /*  image y-res, in dpi          */
   GimpUnit           resolution_unit;       /*  resolution unit              */
+  gboolean           resolution_set;        /*  resolution explicitly set    */
   GimpImageBaseType  base_type;             /*  base gimp_image type         */
   GimpPrecision      precision;             /*  image's precision            */
   GimpLayerMode      new_layer_mode;        /*  default mode of new layers   */
diff --git a/app/core/gimpimage.c b/app/core/gimpimage.c
index 93b63c7e4b..9c59b68a18 100644
--- a/app/core/gimpimage.c
+++ b/app/core/gimpimage.c
@@ -723,6 +723,7 @@ gimp_image_init (GimpImage *image)
   private->height              = 0;
   private->xresolution         = 1.0;
   private->yresolution         = 1.0;
+  private->resolution_set      = FALSE;
   private->resolution_unit     = GIMP_UNIT_INCH;
   private->base_type           = GIMP_RGB;
   private->precision           = GIMP_PRECISION_U8_NON_LINEAR;
@@ -2287,6 +2288,24 @@ gimp_image_set_imported_file (GimpImage *image,
     {
       gimp_object_name_changed (GIMP_OBJECT (image));
     }
+
+  if (! private->resolution_set)
+    {
+      /* Unlike new files (which follow technological progress and will
+       * use higher default resolution, or explicitly chosen templates),
+       * imported files have a more backward-compatible value.
+       *
+       * 72 PPI is traditionnally the default value when none other had
+       * been explicitly set (for instance it is the default when no
+       * resolution metadata was set in Exif version 2.32, and below,
+       * standard). This historical value will only ever apply to loaded
+       * images. New images will continue having more modern or
+       * templated defaults.
+       */
+      private->xresolution     = 72.0;
+      private->yresolution     = 72.0;
+      private->resolution_unit = GIMP_UNIT_INCH;
+    }
 }
 
 /**
@@ -2788,8 +2807,9 @@ gimp_image_set_resolution (GimpImage *image,
       gimp_image_undo_push_image_resolution (image,
                                              C_("undo-type", "Change Image Resolution"));
 
-      private->xresolution = xresolution;
-      private->yresolution = yresolution;
+      private->xresolution    = xresolution;
+      private->yresolution    = yresolution;
+      private->resolution_set = TRUE;
 
       gimp_image_resolution_changed (image);
       gimp_image_size_changed_detailed (image,