diff --git a/parsers/survex.py b/parsers/survex.py
index 3deef71..8fc7e24 100644
--- a/parsers/survex.py
+++ b/parsers/survex.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from django.utils.timezone import get_current_timezone
 from django.utils.timezone import make_aware
 
 import troggle.settings as settings
-from troggle.core.models.caves import Entrance, QM, LogbookEntry
+from troggle.core.models.caves import Cave, Entrance, QM, LogbookEntry
 from troggle.core.utils import get_process_memory, chaosmonkey
 from troggle.parsers.people import GetPersonExpeditionNameLookup
 from troggle.parsers.logbooks import GetCaveLookup
@@ -1446,9 +1446,14 @@ def FindAndLoadSurvex(survexblockroot):
 def MakeSurvexFileRoot():
     """Returns a file_object.path = SURVEX_TOPNAME associated with directory_object.path = SURVEX_DATA
     """
+    # find a cave, any cave..
+    c = Cave.objects.all()
+    
     fileroot = SurvexFile(path=settings.SURVEX_TOPNAME, cave=None)
     fileroot.save()
-    directoryroot = SurvexDirectory(path=settings.SURVEX_DATA, cave=None, primarysurvexfile=fileroot)
+    directoryroot = SurvexDirectory(path=settings.SURVEX_DATA, cave=c[0], primarysurvexfile=fileroot)
+    # MariaDB doesn't like this hack. Complains about non-null cave_id EVEN THOUGH our model file says this is OK:
+    # cave = models.ForeignKey('Cave', blank=True, null=True,on_delete=models.SET_NULL)
     directoryroot.save()
     fileroot.survexdirectory = directoryroot # i.e. SURVEX_DATA/SURVEX_TOPNAME
     fileroot.save() # mutually dependent objects need a double-save like this