diff --git a/gramps/plugins/importer/importcsv.py b/gramps/plugins/importer/importcsv.py
index 0dee09497..62c5cca34 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/importer/importcsv.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/importer/importcsv.py
@@ -919,6 +919,9 @@ class CSVParser:
 
     def get_or_create_place(self, place_name):
         "Return the requested place object tuple-packed with a new indicator."
+        if place_name.startswith("[") and place_name.endswith("]"):
+            place = self.lookup("place", place_name)
+            return (0, place)
         LOG.debug("get_or_create_place: looking for: %s", place_name)
         for place_handle in self.db.iter_place_handles():
             place = self.db.get_place_from_handle(place_handle)