diff --git a/fediseer/apis/v1/base.py b/fediseer/apis/v1/base.py
index abd599b..2a9ec25 100644
--- a/fediseer/apis/v1/base.py
+++ b/fediseer/apis/v1/base.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class Suspicions(Resource):
 
 
 
-def ensure_instance_registered(domain):        
+def ensure_instance_registered(domain, allow_unreachable=False):        
     if domain.endswith("test.dbzer0.com"):
         # Fake instances for testing chain of trust
         requested_lemmy = Lemmy(f"https://{domain}")
@@ -75,7 +75,18 @@ def ensure_instance_registered(domain):
     else:
         nodeinfo = get_nodeinfo(domain)
         if not nodeinfo:
-            raise e.BadRequest(f"Error encountered while polling domain {domain}. Please check it's running correctly")
+            if not allow_unreachable:
+                raise e.BadRequest(f"Error encountered while polling domain {domain}. Please check it's running correctly")
+            else:
+                software = "unknown"
+                if "*" in domain:
+                    software = "wildcard"
+                nodeinfo = {
+                    "openRegistrations": False,
+                    "software": {
+                        "name": software
+                    }
+                }
         software = nodeinfo["software"]["name"]
         if software == "lemmy":
             requested_lemmy = Lemmy(f"https://{domain}")
diff --git a/fediseer/apis/v1/censures.py b/fediseer/apis/v1/censures.py
index 066a655..63c697c 100644
--- a/fediseer/apis/v1/censures.py
+++ b/fediseer/apis/v1/censures.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class Censures(Resource):
         unbroken_chain, chainbreaker = database.has_unbroken_chain(instance.id)
         if not unbroken_chain:
             raise e.Forbidden(f"Guarantee chain for this instance has been broken. Chain ends at {chainbreaker.domain}!")
-        target_instance, nodeinfo, admin_usernames = ensure_instance_registered(domain)
+        target_instance, nodeinfo, admin_usernames = ensure_instance_registered(domain, allow_unreachable=True)
         if not target_instance:
             raise e.NotFound(f"Something went wrong trying to register this instance.")
         if not target_instance:
diff --git a/fediseer/fediverse.py b/fediseer/fediverse.py
index ad41294..6f9f7e8 100644
--- a/fediseer/fediverse.py
+++ b/fediseer/fediverse.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ def get_lemmy_admins(domain):
     site = requested_lemmy.site.get()
     if not site:
         logger.warning(f"Error retrieving mastodon site info for {domain}")
-        return None
+        raise Exception(f"Error retrieving mastodon site info for {domain}")
     return [a["person"]["name"] for a in site["admins"]]
 
 def get_mastodon_admins(domain):
@@ -17,13 +17,18 @@ def get_mastodon_admins(domain):
         return [site["contact"]["account"]["username"]]
     except Exception as err:
         logger.warning(f"Error retrieving mastodon site info for {domain}: {err}")
-        return None
+        raise Exception(f"Error retrieving mastodon site info for {domain}: {err}")
+
+def get_unknown_admins(domain):
+    return []
 
 def get_admin_for_software(software: str, domain: str):
     software_map = {
         "lemmy": get_lemmy_admins,
         "mastodon": get_mastodon_admins,
         "friendica": get_mastodon_admins,
+        "unknown": get_unknown_admins,
+        "wildcard": get_unknown_admins,
     }
     if software not in software_map:
         return []