diff --git a/feeds.py b/feeds.py
index d0d2b2d..764bc7a 100644
--- a/feeds.py
+++ b/feeds.py
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ class FeedBase(object):
 		""" Returns the .text of the 1st match """
 		match = self.xget(path)
 		if match is not None:
-			return match.text
+			return match.text or ""
 		else:
 			return ""
 
@@ -199,6 +199,9 @@ class FeedList(object):
 		self.parent.root.append(new.xml)
 		self._children[id(new.xml)] = new
 
+		if cousin is None:
+			return new
+
 		for key in self.childClass.__dict__:
 			if key[:3] == 'set':
 				attr = key[3:].lower()