diff --git a/racket/collects/pkg/lib.rkt b/racket/collects/pkg/lib.rkt
index 9e51d790ea..ef2f201030 100644
--- a/racket/collects/pkg/lib.rkt
+++ b/racket/collects/pkg/lib.rkt
@@ -3286,8 +3286,8 @@
     (define new-checksum
       (file->string (path-replace-suffix pkg-file #".zip.CHECKSUM")))
     (parameterize ([db:current-pkg-catalog-file temp-catalog-file])
-      (define modules (db:get-pkg-modules name (db:pkg-catalog pkg) current-checksum))
-      (define dependencies (db:get-pkg-dependencies name (db:pkg-catalog pkg) current-checksum))
+      (define modules (db:get-pkg-modules name (db:pkg-catalog pkg) (or current-checksum "")))
+      (define dependencies (db:get-pkg-dependencies name (db:pkg-catalog pkg) (or current-checksum "")))
       (db:set-pkg! name (db:pkg-catalog pkg)
                    (db:pkg-author pkg)
                    (path->string (path->complete-path pkg-file))