diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tests/test_utils.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tests/test_utils.py
index f40513fbc0..5b244ee0cc 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -752,12 +752,18 @@ class TestGetCertificates(TestCase):
 
     def test_course_run_certificates_missing(self, mock_get_credentials):
         """
-        Verify an empty list is returned when course run certificates are missing,
-        and that no attempt is made to retrieve program certificates.
+        Verify program certificates are retrieved even if the learner has not earned any course certificates.
         """
+        expected = [{
+            'type': 'program',
+            'title': self.program['title'],
+            'url': self.program_certificate_url,
+        }]
+        mock_get_credentials.return_value = [{'certificate_url': self.program_certificate_url}]
+
         certificates = get_certificates(self.user, self.program)
-        self.assertEqual(certificates, [])
-        self.assertFalse(mock_get_credentials.called)
+        self.assertTrue(mock_get_credentials.called)
+        self.assertEqual(certificates, expected)
 
     def test_program_certificate_missing(self, mock_get_credentials):
         """
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/utils.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/utils.py
index db88090ffe..44aecaf177 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/utils.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/utils.py
@@ -464,18 +464,13 @@ def get_certificates(user, extended_program):
                 # We only want one certificate per course to be returned.
                 break
 
-    # A user can only have earned a program certificate if they've earned certificates
-    # in associated course runs. If they haven't earned any course run certificates,
-    # they can't have earned a program certificate, and we can save a network call
-    # to the credentials service.
-    if certificates:
-        program_credentials = get_credentials(user, program_uuid=extended_program['uuid'])
-        if program_credentials:
-            certificates.append({
-                'type': 'program',
-                'title': extended_program['title'],
-                'url': program_credentials[0]['certificate_url'],
-            })
+    program_credentials = get_credentials(user, program_uuid=extended_program['uuid'])
+    if program_credentials:
+        certificates.append({
+            'type': 'program',
+            'title': extended_program['title'],
+            'url': program_credentials[0]['certificate_url'],
+        })
 
     return certificates