diff --git a/wp-includes/class-wp-widget.php b/wp-includes/class-wp-widget.php
index e91f5cd9f9..086e9e9ffb 100644
--- a/wp-includes/class-wp-widget.php
+++ b/wp-includes/class-wp-widget.php
@@ -612,12 +612,16 @@ class WP_Widget {
 		$settings = get_option( $this->option_name );
 
 		if ( false === $settings ) {
+			$settings = array();
 			if ( isset( $this->alt_option_name ) ) {
-				$settings = get_option( $this->alt_option_name );
-			} else {
-				// Save an option so it can be autoloaded next time.
-				$this->save_settings( array() );
+				// Get settings from alternative (legacy) option.
+				$settings = get_option( $this->alt_option_name, array() );
+
+				// Delete the alternative (legacy) option as the new option will be created using `$this->option_name`.
+				delete_option( $this->alt_option_name );
 			}
+			// Save an option so it can be autoloaded next time.
+			$this->save_settings( $settings );
 		}
 
 		if ( ! is_array( $settings ) && ! ( $settings instanceof ArrayObject || $settings instanceof ArrayIterator ) ) {
diff --git a/wp-includes/version.php b/wp-includes/version.php
index 48c8ab8d87..7617a36523 100644
--- a/wp-includes/version.php
+++ b/wp-includes/version.php
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
  *
  * @global string $wp_version
  */
-$wp_version = '6.1-alpha-54111';
+$wp_version = '6.1-alpha-54112';
 
 /**
  * Holds the WordPress DB revision, increments when changes are made to the WordPress DB schema.