diff --git a/server/images.go b/server/images.go
index 85b96395..98e40e18 100644
--- a/server/images.go
+++ b/server/images.go
@@ -485,9 +485,15 @@ func CreateModel(ctx context.Context, name, modelFileDir string, commands []pars
 					if err != nil {
 						return err
 					}
-					if err := PullModel(ctx, parent.OriginalModel, &RegistryOptions{}, fn); err != nil {
-						log.Printf("error pulling model: %v", err)
+
+					originalModel := parent.OriginalModel
+					if originalModel == "" {
+						originalModel = parent.ShortName
 					}
+					if err := PullModel(ctx, originalModel, &RegistryOptions{}, fn); err != nil {
+						log.Printf("error pulling parent model: %v", err)
+					}
+
 					// Reset the file pointer to the beginning of the file
 					_, err = fromConfigFile.Seek(0, 0)
 					if err != nil {