diff --git a/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c b/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c
index 694ae06..1f2e1a1 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@
 	if (!bts)
 		return NULL;
 
-	if (!model) {
+	if (!model && type != GSM_BTS_TYPE_UNKNOWN) {
 		talloc_free(bts);
 		return NULL;
 	}