diff --git a/cookbook/helper/ingredient_parser.py b/cookbook/helper/ingredient_parser.py
index 61d2a9db2..b773c2f4c 100644
--- a/cookbook/helper/ingredient_parser.py
+++ b/cookbook/helper/ingredient_parser.py
@@ -163,6 +163,8 @@ def parse(x):
 
 # small utility functions to prevent emtpy unit/food creation
 def get_unit(unit, space):
+    if not unit:
+        return None
     if len(unit) > 0:
         u, created = Unit.objects.get_or_create(name=unit, space=space)
         return u
@@ -170,6 +172,8 @@ def get_unit(unit, space):
 
 
 def get_food(food, space):
+    if not food:
+        return None
     if len(food) > 0:
         f, created = Food.objects.get_or_create(name=food, space=space)
         return f
diff --git a/cookbook/integration/integration.py b/cookbook/integration/integration.py
index fb48308c0..3dbb0f290 100644
--- a/cookbook/integration/integration.py
+++ b/cookbook/integration/integration.py
@@ -160,6 +160,9 @@ class Integration:
             except BadZipFile:
                 il.msg += 'ERROR ' + _(
                     'Importer expected a .zip file. Did you choose the correct importer type for your data ?') + '\n'
+            except:
+                il.msg += 'ERROR ' + _(
+                    'An unexpected error occurred during the import. Please make sure you have uploaded a valid file.') + '\n'
 
             if len(self.ignored_recipes) > 0:
                 il.msg += '\n' + _(
@@ -217,4 +220,3 @@ class Integration:
             - data - string content for file to get created in export zip
         """
         raise NotImplementedError('Method not implemented in integration')
-
diff --git a/docs/features/import_export.md b/docs/features/import_export.md
index fc766bb40..90612af25 100644
--- a/docs/features/import_export.md
+++ b/docs/features/import_export.md
@@ -172,6 +172,7 @@ This zip file can simply be imported into Tandoor.
 OpenEats does not provide any way to export the data using the interface. Luckily it is relatively easy to export it from the command line.
 You need to run the command `python manage.py dumpdata recipe ingredient` inside of the application api container.
 If you followed the default installation method you can use the following command `docker-compose -f docker-prod.yml run --rm --entrypoint 'sh' api ./manage.py dumpdata recipe ingredient`.
+This command might also work `docker exec -it openeats_api_1 ./manage.py dumpdata recipe ingredient > recipe_ingredients.json`
 
 Store the outputted json string in a `.json` file and simply import it using the importer. The file should look something like this
 ```json