diff --git a/freqtrade/freqai/freqai_interface.py b/freqtrade/freqai/freqai_interface.py
index bbae7453f..9025f358a 100644
--- a/freqtrade/freqai/freqai_interface.py
+++ b/freqtrade/freqai/freqai_interface.py
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ class IFreqaiModel(ABC):
         self.metadata: Dict[str, Any] = self.dd.load_global_metadata_from_disk()
         self.data_provider: Optional[DataProvider] = None
         self.max_system_threads = max(int(psutil.cpu_count() * 2 - 2), 1)
+        self.can_short = True  # overridden in start() with strategy.can_short
 
         record_params(config, self.full_path)