diff --git a/prjxray/util.py b/prjxray/util.py
index 60f1c46f..09377c83 100644
--- a/prjxray/util.py
+++ b/prjxray/util.py
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ def db_root_arg(parser):
 
 
 def parse_db_line(line):
+    '''Return tag name, bit values (if any), mode (if any)'''
     parts = line.split()
     # Ex: CLBLL_L.SLICEL_X0.AMUX.A5Q
     assert len(parts), "Empty line"
@@ -84,11 +85,12 @@ def parse_db_line(line):
                     tag), "Invalid tag name: %s, line: %s" % (tag, line)
     orig_bits = line.replace(tag + " ", "")
     # <0 candidates> etc
-    if "<" in orig_bits:
-        return tag, set(), orig_bits
+    # Ex: INT_L.BYP_BOUNCE5.BYP_ALT5 always
+    if "<" in orig_bits or "always" == orig_bits:
+        return tag, None, orig_bits
 
-    # Ex: !30_06 !30_08 !30_11 30_07
     bits = frozenset(parts[1:])
+    # Ex: CLBLL_L.SLICEL_X0.AOUTMUX.A5Q !30_06 !30_08 !30_11 30_07
     for bit in bits:
         # 19_39
         # 100_319
diff --git a/utils/parsedb.py b/utils/parsedb.py
index 011a5ab2..b24ad42f 100755
--- a/utils/parsedb.py
+++ b/utils/parsedb.py
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ def run(fnin, fnout=None, strict=False, verbose=False):
             continue
         tag, bits, mode = util.parse_db_line(line)
         if strict:
-            assert not mode, "strict: got ill defined line: %s" % (line, )
+            if mode != "always":
+                assert not mode, "strict: got ill defined line: %s" % (line, )
             if tag in tags:
                 print("Original line: %s" % tags[tag])
                 print("New line: %s" % line)
@@ -24,7 +25,8 @@ def run(fnin, fnout=None, strict=False, verbose=False):
             assert bits not in bitss, "strict: got duplicate bits %s (ex: %s)" % (
                 bits, line)
         tags[tag] = line
-        bitss.add(bits)
+        if bits != None:
+            bitss.add(bits)
 
     if fnout:
         with open(fnout, "w") as fout: