diff --git a/layerindex/update.py b/layerindex/update.py
index 4ada3e0..7bdbdb2 100755
--- a/layerindex/update.py
+++ b/layerindex/update.py
@@ -108,6 +108,8 @@ def update_recipe_file(data, path, recipe, layerdir_start, repodir):
     except KeyboardInterrupt:
         raise
     except BaseException as e:
+        if not recipe.pn:
+            recipe.pn = recipe.filename[:-3].split('_')[0]
         logger.info("Unable to read %s: %s", fn, str(e))
 
 def update_machine_conf_file(path, machine):