diff --git a/database/database.h.in b/database/database.h.in
index 5b9bd777..d3aec04a 100644
--- a/database/database.h.in
+++ b/database/database.h.in
@@ -391,6 +391,9 @@ typedef struct celldef
  *	    with the option "gds readonly true".
  *	CDVISITED indicates that at least one instance of the cell was
  *	    already output during a file write.
+ *	CDDEREFERENCE is a flag indicating that when loading or expanding
+ *	    children of a cell, the path should be ignored and the cell
+ *	    path should be searched for the location.
  */
 
 #define	CDAVAILABLE	 0x0001
@@ -408,6 +411,7 @@ typedef struct celldef
 #define CDPROCESSEDGDS	 0x1000
 #define CDVENDORGDS	 0x2000
 #define CDVISITED	 0x4000
+#define CDDEREFERENCE	 0x8000
 
 /*
  * Description of an array.
diff --git a/drc/DRCcif.c b/drc/DRCcif.c
index 3a4a4bbd..477ae23f 100644
--- a/drc/DRCcif.c
+++ b/drc/DRCcif.c
@@ -527,7 +527,8 @@ drcCifCheck(arg)
     }
     if (drcCifValid == FALSE)
     {
-	CIFCurStyle = CIFSaveStyle;
+	if (CIFSaveStyle != NULL)
+	    CIFCurStyle = CIFSaveStyle;
 	return;
     }