diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/entity_instance.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/entity_instance.py
index 078047790a..ea58268322 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/entity_instance.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/entity_instance.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class entity_instance(object):
         >>> #423=IfcProductDefinitionShape($,$,(#409,#421))
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, e, file):
+    def __init__(self, e, file=None):
         if isinstance(e, tuple):
             e = ifcopenshell_wrapper.new_IfcBaseClass(*e)
         super(entity_instance, self).__setattr__("wrapped_data", e)
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ class entity_instance(object):
         return entity_instance.wrap_value(self.wrapped_data.get_argument(key), self.wrapped_data.file)
 
     def __setitem__(self, idx, value):
-        if self.wrapped_data.file.transaction:
+        if self.wrapped_data.file and self.wrapped_data.file.transaction:
             self.wrapped_data.file.transaction.store_edit(self, idx, value)
 
         attr_type = real_attr_type = self.attribute_type(idx).title().replace(" ", "")