diff --git a/src/engine/Group.c b/src/engine/Group.c
index 69baca579b..49520385e2 100644
--- a/src/engine/Group.c
+++ b/src/engine/Group.c
@@ -396,7 +396,6 @@ xaccInsertSubAccount( Account *adult, Account *child )
   int retval;
 
   if (NULL == adult) return -1;
-  if (NULL == child) return -1;
 
   /* if a container for the children doesn't yet exist, add it */
   if (NULL == adult->children) {
@@ -406,6 +405,9 @@ xaccInsertSubAccount( Account *adult, Account *child )
   /* set back-pointer to parent */
   adult->children->parent = adult;
 
+  /* allow side-effect of creating a child-less account group */
+  if (NULL == child) return -1;
+
   retval = insertAccount (adult->children, child);
   return retval;
 }