diff --git a/code/model/SiteTree.php b/code/model/SiteTree.php
index aa804961..792c0e17 100755
--- a/code/model/SiteTree.php
+++ b/code/model/SiteTree.php
@@ -1019,7 +1019,7 @@ class SiteTree extends DataObject implements PermissionProvider,i18nEntityProvid
 		}
 
 		// Fall over to inherited permissions
-		if($parent) {
+		if($parent && $parent->exists()) {
 			return $parent->canAddChildren($member);
 		} else {
 			// This doesn't necessarily mean we are creating a root page, but that
diff --git a/tests/model/SiteTreeTest.php b/tests/model/SiteTreeTest.php
index 93ad7157..3ded8572 100644
--- a/tests/model/SiteTreeTest.php
+++ b/tests/model/SiteTreeTest.php
@@ -545,6 +545,10 @@ class SiteTreeTest extends SapphireTest {
 		$this->assertTrue(singleton('SiteTreeTest_ClassA')->canCreate(null));
 		$this->assertFalse(singleton('SiteTreeTest_ClassA')->canCreate(null, array('Parent' => $parentB)));
 		$this->assertTrue(singleton('SiteTreeTest_ClassC')->canCreate(null, array('Parent' => $parentB)));
+
+		// Test creation underneath a parent which doesn't exist in the database. This should
+		// fall back to checking whether the user can create pages at the root of the site
+		$this->assertTrue(singleton('SiteTree')->canCreate(null, array('Parent' => singleton('SiteTree'))));
 	}
 
 	public function testEditPermissionsOnDraftVsLive() {