diff --git a/DataFormats/Streamer/src/StreamedProducts.cc b/DataFormats/Streamer/src/StreamedProducts.cc
index f8c0f50bd39c9..e081893e3fd7f 100644
--- a/DataFormats/Streamer/src/StreamedProducts.cc
+++ b/DataFormats/Streamer/src/StreamedProducts.cc
@@ -9,10 +9,15 @@ namespace edm {
 		    std::vector<BranchID> const* parents) :
       desc_(&desc), present_(present), parents_(parents), prod_(const_cast<void*>(prod)), classRef_() {
       if(present_ && prod == 0) {
-        const_cast<BranchDescription&>(desc).init();
+        std::string branchName = desc.branchName();
+        if(branchName.empty()) {
+          BranchDescription localCopy(desc);
+          localCopy.initBranchName();
+          branchName = localCopy.branchName();
+        }
         throw edm::Exception(edm::errors::LogicError, "StreamedProduct::StreamedProduct\n")
            << "A product with a status of 'present' is not actually present.\n"
-           << "The branch name is " << desc.branchName() << "\n"
+           << "The branch name is " << branchName << "\n"
            << "Contact a framework developer.\n";
       }
     }