diff --git a/logic/CMakeLists.txt b/logic/CMakeLists.txt
index cf55695d..08a6f3a8 100644
--- a/logic/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/logic/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ SET(LOGIC_SOURCES
 	BaseProcess.cpp
 	BaseInstance.h
 	BaseInstance.cpp
+	NullInstance.h
 	MMCError.h
 
 	# WARNING: globals live here
diff --git a/logic/InstanceList.cpp b/logic/InstanceList.cpp
index 013de31e..a65d9f56 100644
--- a/logic/InstanceList.cpp
+++ b/logic/InstanceList.cpp
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 #include "minecraft/MinecraftVersion.h"
 #include "settings/INISettingsObject.h"
 #include "ftb/FTBPlugin.h"
+#include "NullInstance.h"
 
 const static int GROUP_FILE_FORMAT_VERSION = 1;
 
@@ -454,7 +455,7 @@ InstanceList::loadInstance(InstancePtr &inst, const QString &instDir)
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		return InstanceList::UnknownLoadError;
+		inst.reset(new NullInstance(m_globalSettings, instanceSettings, instDir));
 	}
 	inst->init();
 	return NoLoadError;
diff --git a/logic/NullInstance.h b/logic/NullInstance.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cf8c7fce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/logic/NullInstance.h
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+#include "BaseInstance.h"
+
+class NullInstance: public BaseInstance
+{
+public:
+	NullInstance(SettingsObjectPtr globalSettings, SettingsObjectPtr settings, const QString& rootDir)
+	:BaseInstance(globalSettings, settings, rootDir)
+	{
+		setFlag(BaseInstance::VersionBrokenFlag);
+	}
+	virtual ~NullInstance() {};
+	virtual bool setIntendedVersionId(QString) override
+	{
+		return false;
+	}
+	virtual void cleanupAfterRun() override
+	{
+	}
+	virtual QString currentVersionId() const
+	{
+		return "Null";
+	};
+	virtual QString intendedVersionId() const
+	{
+		return "Null";
+	};
+	virtual void init() override
+	{
+	};
+	virtual QString getStatusbarDescription() override
+	{
+		return tr("Unknown instance type");
+	};
+	virtual bool shouldUpdate() const override
+	{
+		return false;
+	};
+	virtual QSet< QString > traits()
+	{
+		return {};
+	};
+	virtual QString instanceConfigFolder() const
+	{
+		return instanceRoot();
+	};
+	virtual BaseProcess* prepareForLaunch(AuthSessionPtr)
+	{
+		return nullptr;
+	}
+	virtual std::shared_ptr< Task > doUpdate()
+	{
+		return nullptr;
+	}
+	virtual void setShouldUpdate(bool)
+	{
+	};
+	virtual std::shared_ptr< BaseVersionList > versionList() const
+	{
+		return nullptr;
+	};
+};