diff --git a/rattail/importing/importers.py b/rattail/importing/importers.py
index d6a1b28bbc0d1487d34621abb5d772b8b56884df..0b5af604e47fe2e4c2030fdc9e89b499b1509a0d 100644
--- a/rattail/importing/importers.py
+++ b/rattail/importing/importers.py
@@ -130,6 +130,14 @@ class Importer(object):
             self.model_name = self.model_class.__name__
         self._setup(**kwargs)
 
+    def get_local_system_title(self):
+        """
+        Retrieve the system title for the local/target side.
+        """
+        if hasattr(self, 'handler'):
+            return self.handler.local_title
+        return self.local_system_title or "??"
+
     def include_fields(self, *args):
         """
         Add the given fields to the supported field list for the importer.  May
@@ -296,7 +304,7 @@ class Importer(object):
 
         try:
             self.progress_loop(import_, data, message="{}ing {} data to {}".format(
-                self.direction.capitalize(), self.model_name, self.handler.local_title))
+                self.direction.capitalize(), self.model_name, self.get_local_system_title()))
         except ImportLimitReached:
             pass
         self.flush_create_update_final()
@@ -469,14 +477,14 @@ class Importer(object):
 
         self.progress_loop(cache, objects,
                            message="Reading {} data from {}".format(
-                               self.model_name, self.handler.local_title))
+                               self.model_name, self.get_local_system_title()))
         return cached
 
     def cache_local_message(self):
         """
         Must return a message to be used for progress when fetching "local" data.
         """
-        return "Reading {} data from {}".format(self.model_name, self.handler.local_title)
+        return "Reading {} data from {}".format(self.model_name, self.get_local_system_title())
 
     def get_cache_key(self, obj, normal):
         """