diff --git a/phpBB/docs/CHANGELOG.html b/phpBB/docs/CHANGELOG.html
index e95d7c7791..1ddee3b573 100644
--- a/phpBB/docs/CHANGELOG.html
+++ b/phpBB/docs/CHANGELOG.html
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
 		<li>[Fix] Pagination of User Notes in MCP uses two different config values. (Bug #56025)</li>
 		<li>[Fix] List hidden groups on viewprofile where the viewing user is also a member. (Bug #31845)</li>
 		<li>[Fix] Sort viewprofile group list by group name.</li>
-		<li>[Fix] Strictly check whether a moderator can post in the destination forum when moving topic. (Bug #56255)</li> 
+		<li>[Fix] Strictly check whether a moderator can post in the destination forum when moving topic. (Bug #56255)</li>
 		<li>[Fix] Added some error handling to the compress class.</li>
 		<li>[Fix] Correctly determine permissions to show quick reply button. (Bug #56555)</li>
 		<li>[Fix] Do not unsubscribe users from topics replying with quickreply. (Bug #56235)</li>
@@ -147,6 +147,7 @@
 		<li>[Fix] Correctly orientate quoted text image on RTL languages. (Bug #33745)</li>
 		<li>[Fix] Deprecate $allow_reply parameter to truncate_string() (Bug #56675)</li>
 		<li>[Fix] Update users last visit field correctly when changing activation status. (Bug #56185)</li>
+		<li>[Fix] Database updater now separates ADD COLUMN from SET NOT NULL and SET DEFAULT, when using PostgreSQL &lt;= 7.4 (Bug #54435)</li>
 		<li>[Change] Move redirect into a hidden field to avoid issues with mod_security. (Bug #54145)</li>
 		<li>[Change] Log activation through inactive users ACP. (Bug #30145)</li>
 		<li>[Change] Send time of last item instead of current time in ATOM Feeds. (Bug #53305)</li>
diff --git a/phpBB/includes/db/db_tools.php b/phpBB/includes/db/db_tools.php
index a762b31681..7123c83e51 100644
--- a/phpBB/includes/db/db_tools.php
+++ b/phpBB/includes/db/db_tools.php
@@ -1348,7 +1348,29 @@ class phpbb_db_tools
 			break;
 
 			case 'postgres':
-				$statements[] = 'ALTER TABLE ' . $table_name . ' ADD COLUMN "' . $column_name . '" ' . $column_data['column_type_sql'];
+				if (version_compare($this->db->sql_server_info(true), '8.0', '>='))
+				{
+					$statements[] = 'ALTER TABLE ' . $table_name . ' ADD COLUMN "' . $column_name . '" ' . $column_data['column_type_sql'];
+				}
+				else
+				{
+					// old versions cannot add columns with default and null information
+					$statements[] = 'ALTER TABLE ' . $table_name . ' ADD COLUMN "' . $column_name . '" ' . $column_data['column_type'] . ' ' . $column_data['constraint'];
+
+					if (isset($column_data['null']))
+					{
+						if ($column_data['null'] == 'NOT NULL')
+						{
+							$statements[] = 'ALTER TABLE ' . $table_name . ' ALTER COLUMN ' . $column_name . ' SET NOT NULL';
+						}
+					}
+
+					if (isset($column_data['default']))
+					{
+						$statements[] = 'ALTER TABLE ' . $table_name . ' ALTER COLUMN ' . $column_name . ' SET DEFAULT ' . $column_data['default'];
+					}
+				}
+
 			break;
 
 			case 'sqlite':
diff --git a/phpBB/install/database_update.php b/phpBB/install/database_update.php
index 31911b4a6c..36a09e5ec4 100644
--- a/phpBB/install/database_update.php
+++ b/phpBB/install/database_update.php
@@ -2924,7 +2924,29 @@ class updater_db_tools
 
 			case 'postgres':
 				// Does not support AFTER, only through temporary table
-				$statements[] = 'ALTER TABLE ' . $table_name . ' ADD COLUMN "' . $column_name . '" ' . $column_data['column_type_sql'];
+
+				if (version_compare($this->db->sql_server_info(true), '8.0', '>='))
+				{
+					$statements[] = 'ALTER TABLE ' . $table_name . ' ADD COLUMN "' . $column_name . '" ' . $column_data['column_type_sql'];
+				}
+				else
+				{
+					// old versions cannot add columns with default and null information
+					$statements[] = 'ALTER TABLE ' . $table_name . ' ADD COLUMN "' . $column_name . '" ' . $column_data['column_type'] . ' ' . $column_data['constraint'];
+
+					if (isset($column_data['null']))
+					{
+						if ($column_data['null'] == 'NOT NULL')
+						{
+							$statements[] = 'ALTER TABLE ' . $table_name . ' ALTER COLUMN ' . $column_name . ' SET NOT NULL';
+						}
+					}
+
+					if (isset($column_data['default']))
+					{
+						$statements[] = 'ALTER TABLE ' . $table_name . ' ALTER COLUMN ' . $column_name . ' SET DEFAULT ' . $column_data['default'];
+					}
+				}
 			break;
 
 			case 'sqlite':