diff --git a/csv2cmi.py b/csv2cmi.py
index 294bc06..fb18c51 100755
--- a/csv2cmi.py
+++ b/csv2cmi.py
@@ -159,23 +159,31 @@ def createFileDesc(config):
 
 def createCorrespondent(nameString):
     if letter[nameString]:
+        defaultElement = 'name'
         correspondents = []
+        personIDs = []
         # Turning the cells of correspondent names and their IDs into lists since cells
         # can contain various correspondents split by an extra delimiter.
         # In that case it is essential to be able to call each by their index.
         if subdlm:
             persons = letter[nameString].split(subdlm)
-            personIDs = letter[nameString + "ID"].split(subdlm)
+            try:
+                personIDs = letter[nameString + "ID"].split(subdlm)
+            except KeyError:
+                defaultElement = 'persName'
         else:
-            persons = [letter[nameString].strip()]
-            personIDs = [letter[nameString + "ID"]]
+            persons = [letter[nameString]]
+            try:
+                personIDs = [letter[nameString + "ID"]]
+            except KeyError:
+                defaultElement = 'persName'
         for index, person in enumerate(persons):
+            correspondent = Element(defaultElement)
             person = str(person).strip()
-            correspondent = Element('name')
             # assigning authority file IDs to their correspondents if provided
             if (index < len(personIDs)) and personIDs[index]:
                 # by default complete GND-IDNs to full URI
-                if 'http://' not in str(personIDs[index].strip()) and str(personIDs[index])[:-2].isdigit():
+                if 'http://' not in str(personIDs[index].strip()) and str(personIDs[index].strip())[:-2].isdigit():
                     logging.debug('Assigning ID %s to GND', str(
                         personIDs[index].strip()))
                     authID = 'http://d-nb.info/gnd/' + \
@@ -563,7 +571,8 @@ def processPlace(letter, correspondent):
         bibl.text = editionTitle
         bibl.set('type', editionType)
     except configparser.NoOptionError:
-        logging.warning('Incomplete section %s in ini file. Title and type option must be set.', editionKey)
+        logging.warning(
+            'Incomplete section %s in ini file. Title and type option must be set.', editionKey)
     except configparser.NoSectionError:
         # if there is no matching section, we assume that there should be no one
         pass