diff --git a/python/ee/__init__.py b/python/ee/__init__.py
index b61d9bcf8..0dc884b60 100644
--- a/python/ee/__init__.py
+++ b/python/ee/__init__.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 import collections
 import datetime
 import inspect
+import json
 import os
 from typing import Any, Hashable, List as ListType, Optional, Sequence, Tuple, Type, Union
 
@@ -137,6 +138,9 @@ def Initialize(
   if credentials == 'persistent':
     credentials = data.get_persistent_credentials()
 
+  if not project:
+    project = json.load(open(oauth.get_credentials_path())).get('project_id')
+
   data.initialize(
       credentials=credentials,
       api_base_url=(url + '/api' if url else None),