diff --git a/project_tracking/__version__.py b/project_tracking/__version__.py
index 74f9bc2..1662870 100644
--- a/project_tracking/__version__.py
+++ b/project_tracking/__version__.py
@@ -1 +1 @@
-__version__ = '3.1.5'
+__version__ = '3.1.5.dev'
diff --git a/project_tracking/model.py b/project_tracking/model.py
index 492f499..40f3bde 100644
--- a/project_tracking/model.py
+++ b/project_tracking/model.py
@@ -451,6 +451,8 @@ def from_name(cls, name, specimen, alias=None, tumour=None, session=None, deprec
             session.flush()
         else:
             if alias:
+                if sample.alias is None:
+                    sample.alias = []
                 for a in alias:
                     if a not in sample.alias:
                         sample.alias.append(a)