diff --git a/Library/Homebrew/tab.rb b/Library/Homebrew/tab.rb
index ec80b0204f..3dd33302f4 100644
--- a/Library/Homebrew/tab.rb
+++ b/Library/Homebrew/tab.rb
@@ -33,7 +33,11 @@ class Tab < OpenStruct
     if path.exist?
       self.from_file path
     else
-      self.dummy_tab Formula.factory(keg.parent.basename)
+      begin
+        self.dummy_tab Formula.factory(keg.parent.basename)
+      rescue FormulaUnavailableError
+        Tab.new :used_options => [], :unused_options => []
+      end
     end
   end