diff --git a/lib/faker.rb b/lib/faker.rb
index a5d7d472b9..9049371476 100644
--- a/lib/faker.rb
+++ b/lib/faker.rb
@@ -186,6 +186,15 @@ def translate(*args, **opts)
         # in en either, then it will raise again.
         disable_enforce_available_locales do
           I18n.translate(*args, **opts)
+        rescue I18n::MissingTranslationData
+          # I18n discards translations for locales that are not in
+          # I18n.available_locales when it initializes. If the :en
+          # translations were discarded, load them and try once more.
+          raise if I18n.exists?('faker', :en)
+
+          en_files = Dir[::File.join(__dir__, 'locales', 'en.yml'), ::File.join(__dir__, 'locales', 'en', '**/*.yml')]
+          I18n.backend.load_translations(en_files)
+          I18n.translate(*args, **opts)
         end
       end
 
diff --git a/test/test_locale.rb b/test/test_locale.rb
index 4e2f0e037d..f59ffb6b96 100644
--- a/test/test_locale.rb
+++ b/test/test_locale.rb
@@ -51,6 +51,19 @@ def test_translation_fallback_without_en_in_available_locales
     I18n.available_locales += [:en]
   end
 
+  # https://github.com/faker-ruby/faker/issues/2987
+  def test_translation_fallback_when_i18n_initialized_without_en_in_available_locales
+    old_available_locales = I18n.available_locales
+    I18n.available_locales = [:de]
+    I18n.reload! # force I18n to discard the :en translations
+    Faker::Config.locale = :de
+
+    assert_kind_of String, Faker::Company.catch_phrase
+  ensure
+    I18n.available_locales = old_available_locales
+    I18n.reload!
+  end
+
   def test_with_locale_does_not_fail_without_the_locale_in_available_locales
     I18n.available_locales -= [:en]