diff --git a/cura/Machines/VariantNode.py b/cura/Machines/VariantNode.py
index c1297651bd..ef8981a3c2 100644
--- a/cura/Machines/VariantNode.py
+++ b/cura/Machines/VariantNode.py
@@ -6,9 +6,13 @@ from UM.Logger import Logger
 from UM.Settings.ContainerRegistry import ContainerRegistry
 from UM.Settings.Interfaces import ContainerInterface
 from UM.Signal import Signal
+
+from cura.Settings.cura_empty_instance_containers import empty_variant_container
 from cura.Machines.ContainerNode import ContainerNode
 from cura.Machines.MaterialNode import MaterialNode
+
 import UM.FlameProfiler
+
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from typing import Dict
     from cura.Machines.MachineNode import MachineNode
@@ -110,8 +114,8 @@ class VariantNode(ContainerNode):
         if base_file not in self.materials:  # Completely new base file. Always better than not having a file as long as it matches our set-up.
             if material_definition != "fdmprinter" and material_definition != self.machine.container_id:
                 return
-            material_variant = container.getMetaDataEntry("variant_name")
-            if material_variant is not None and material_variant != self.variant_name:
+            material_variant = container.getMetaDataEntry("variant_name", empty_variant_container.getName())
+            if material_variant != self.variant_name:
                 return
         else:  # We already have this base profile. Replace the base profile if the new one is more specific.
             new_definition = container.getMetaDataEntry("definition")