diff --git a/packages/loot-core/src/server/main.ts b/packages/loot-core/src/server/main.ts
index eaf964bd5a6..1a229baba38 100644
--- a/packages/loot-core/src/server/main.ts
+++ b/packages/loot-core/src/server/main.ts
@@ -710,8 +710,14 @@ handlers['simplefin-accounts-link'] = async function ({
 }) {
   let id;
 
+  let institution = externalAccount.institution;
+
+  if (institution == null) {
+    institution = {name: "Unknown"};
+  }
+
   const bank = await link.findOrCreateBank(
-    externalAccount.institution,
+    institution,
     externalAccount.orgDomain,
   );