diff --git a/src/repository/models.py b/src/repository/models.py
index c10859e3da..e9761f204a 100755
--- a/src/repository/models.py
+++ b/src/repository/models.py
@@ -1043,6 +1043,12 @@ def submit_preprint(self):
         self.current_step = 5
         self.save()
 
+        # The most recently uploaded submission file automatically becomes
+        # version 1, so managers do not have to select it manually before
+        # starting their review.
+        if self.submission_file and not self.has_version():
+            self.make_new_version(self.submission_file)
+
     def subject_editors(self):
         editors = []
         for subject in self.subject.all():
diff --git a/src/repository/tests/test_models.py b/src/repository/tests/test_models.py
index 1a1f2c3c5e..ecca6fb951 100644
--- a/src/repository/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/src/repository/tests/test_models.py
@@ -135,6 +135,23 @@ def test_create_article_force(self):
                 article_two,
             )
 
+    def test_submit_preprint_creates_first_version(self):
+        self.preprint_one.submit_preprint()
+        self.assertEqual(self.preprint_one.preprintversion_set.count(), 1)
+        version = self.preprint_one.current_version
+        self.assertEqual(version.version, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(version.file, self.preprint_one.submission_file)
+
+    def test_submit_preprint_does_not_duplicate_existing_version(self):
+        self.preprint_one.make_new_version(self.preprint_one.submission_file)
+        self.preprint_one.submit_preprint()
+        self.assertEqual(self.preprint_one.preprintversion_set.count(), 1)
+
+    def test_submit_preprint_without_file_creates_no_version(self):
+        self.preprint_one.submission_file = None
+        self.preprint_one.submit_preprint()
+        self.assertEqual(self.preprint_one.preprintversion_set.count(), 0)
+
 
 class TestRepositoryOrganisationUnit(TestCase):
     """Tests for the RepositoryOrganisationUnit model introduced in iowa-and-isolinear."""