diff --git a/xos/observers/base/SyncInstanceUsingAnsible.py b/xos/observers/base/SyncInstanceUsingAnsible.py
index 10c7d8a..901bc97 100644
--- a/xos/observers/base/SyncInstanceUsingAnsible.py
+++ b/xos/observers/base/SyncInstanceUsingAnsible.py
@@ -88,6 +88,10 @@
                 self.defer_sync(o, "waiting on instance")
                 return
 
+            if not instance.instance_name:
+                self.defer_sync(o, "waiting on instance.instance_name")
+                return
+
             cslice = ControllerSlice.objects.get(slice=instance.slice)
             if not cslice:
                 raise Exception("Controller slice object for %s does not exist" % instance.slice.name)